Former NYT Writer Appointed to Head CBS Following Paramount Deal
The media conglomerate has appointed former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the latest step by current leadership to restructure activities of a major US news outlets.
The company is furthermore purchasing The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss founded after her disputed departure from the New York Times, in a agreement estimated to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was eager to put her stamp on CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison recently as part of a broader merger with Paramount.
History of the New Leader
Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish news outlets, is noted for her backing of Israel and her skepticism of "call-out culture".
Beginning as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including in excess of 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has received recognition for coverage such as a article questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an investigation of some photos used by traditional journalism to showcase famine in Gaza.
Prominent contributors include historian Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.
Future Direction
Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a broader campaign to refresh content at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news".
"We think the majority of the country longs for news that is even-handed and accurate, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.
More Change at CBS
Specifics of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount refused to discuss reports that the firm had paid $150 million in equity and currency.
Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood cinematic creator of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his objective is to produce journalism that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to reach all demographics.
His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by government authorities this summer, after the company committed to pay $16 million to conclude a legal action.
To secure clearance of the transaction, Mr Ellison pledged to install an external reviewer at CBS to examine concerns of prejudice and promised to authorities that coverage would showcase a variety of perspectives.
He additionally said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news material including video footage can be distributed.
In a note declaring the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount leader and his leadership team.
"They are making significant investments because they believe in news. Because they have conviction. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot prosper without shared information, universal realities, and a shared perspective," she stated.
