🔗 Share this article

Paramount has named former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the most recent initiative by current leadership to restructure workings of a major US news outlets.

The company is furthermore purchasing The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss started after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a agreement said to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned network journalism for becoming excessively biased, said she was excited to put her stamp on CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Background of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish publications, is recognized for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "call-out culture".

From its inception as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million subscribers, including more than 170,000 paid subscribers.

It has garnered notice for reports such as a piece questioning of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an examination of some photographs used by traditional journalism to showcase famine in Gaza.

Prominent writers include historian Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Future Direction

Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a larger effort to refresh content at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news".

"We believe the majority of the country wants news that is balanced and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Details of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount would not address accounts that the company had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood movie maker of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his goal is to produce reporting that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the ability to reach all viewers.

His takeover of Paramount was cleared by oversight bodies this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit.

To win approval of the acquisition, Mr Ellison committed to install an external reviewer at CBS to review complaints of prejudice and promised to regulators that coverage would reflect a diversity of opinions.

He further said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air altered conversations.

Alliance Facts

CBS News has a partnership agreement with an international broadcaster, meaning news reporting including visual material can be distributed.

In a note announcing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount boss and his executive staff.

"They are committing fully because they have faith in news. Because they have conviction. Because they value this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot prosper without shared information, common truths, and a common reality," she commented.