Ex- New York Times Writer to Lead CBS Post Paramount Merger
Paramount has named former New York Times opinion writer Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, representing the latest initiative by current leadership to reshape operations of a major US news outlets.
The company is furthermore buying The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss founded after her acrimonious separation from the New York Times, in a agreement said to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has questioned network journalism for becoming too partisan, said she was excited to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.
Background of the Executive
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish media organizations, is recognized for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "woke culture".
From its inception as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including over 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has drawn attention for reports such as a piece critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an examination of some photos used by traditional journalism to showcase famine in Gaza.
Prominent writers include historian Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.
Vision for CBS
Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a broader initiative to refresh content at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".
"We believe the majority of the country longs for news that is even-handed and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.
Additional Shifts at CBS
Specifics of the deal were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment accounts that the corporation had paid $150 million in stock and cash.
Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood movie maker of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his goal is to produce coverage that is less partisan, and therefore has the ability to connect with all audiences.
His acquisition of Paramount was authorized by government authorities this summer, after the company consented to pay $16 million to conclude a court case.
To win approval of the deal, Mr Ellison committed to create an external reviewer at CBS to assess complaints of prejudice and promised to authorities that content would include a diversity of perspectives.
He additionally said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air edited interviews.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with a global news organization, meaning news reporting including recorded segments can be distributed.
In a statement revealing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount executive and his management group.
"They are making significant investments because they believe in news. Because they have bravery. Because they value this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot prosper without mutual understanding, common truths, and a common reality," she stated.
