Former New York Times Journalist Takes Over CBS After Paramount Merger
Paramount has selected ex- NYT opinion writer Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, signaling the most recent move by current leadership to reshape activities of a prominent American news outlets.
The company is additionally purchasing The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss established after her disputed exit from the New York Times, in a deal estimated to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has criticised network journalism for becoming too partisan, said she was eager to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison in recent months as part of a larger merger with Paramount.
Profile of the New Leader
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish news outlets, is noted for her backing 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 followers, including over 170,000 paying members.
It has received recognition for articles such as a article skeptical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an investigation of some images used by mainstream news outlets to illustrate famine in Gaza.
Big name authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Future Direction
Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a larger campaign to update content at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".
"We believe the bulk of the country desires news that is balanced and truthful, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.
Additional Shifts at CBS
Specifics of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment 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 potential to engage all demographics.
His acquisition of Paramount was authorized by regulators this season, after the company consented to pay $16 million to resolve a court case.
To win approval of the transaction, Mr Ellison pledged to install an independent ombudsman at CBS to examine concerns of bias and vowed to regulators that coverage would reflect a variety of opinions.
He further said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air modified discussions.
Partnership Details
CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news material including recorded segments can be distributed.
In a note declaring the deal, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount leader and his leadership team.
"They are making significant investments because they believe in 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 unified worldview," she wrote.
