Former New York Times Journalist Appointed to Head CBS After Paramount Merger

The media conglomerate has selected former NYT commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, marking the most recent initiative by recent acquirers to reshape operations of one of America's leading news networks.

Paramount is additionally purchasing The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss founded after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a arrangement estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has challenged broadcast media for becoming excessively biased, said she was excited to influence CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison in recent months as part of a broader merger with Paramount.

Background of the Appointee

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish news outlets, is recognized for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "cancel culture".

Since its start as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million subscribers, including in excess of 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has received recognition for reports such as a article skeptical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an analysis of some images used by traditional journalism to showcase famine in Gaza.

Prominent contributors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

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

"We are convinced the bulk of the country desires news that is balanced and truthful, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Details of the arrangement were not made public. Paramount refused to discuss stories that the firm had paid $150 million in shares and money.

Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood cinematic creator of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his objective is to produce coverage that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to reach all viewers.

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

To secure clearance of the deal, Mr Ellison agreed to establish an external reviewer at CBS to assess complaints of partiality and committed to regulators that coverage would reflect a variety of view points.

He further said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air edited interviews.

Alliance Facts

CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news material including visual material can be distributed.

In a statement declaring the agreement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount executive and his management group.

"They are doubling down because they support news. Because they have bravery. Because they value this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot succeed without mutual understanding, agreed principles, and a common reality," she stated.