Former NYT Journalist Appointed to Head CBS Post Paramount Merger
The media conglomerate has named ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, marking the latest initiative by current leadership to reshape operations of a major US news organisations.
Paramount is furthermore buying The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss established after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a agreement reported to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has challenged network journalism for becoming excessively biased, said she was excited to influence CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison recently as part of a larger merger with Paramount.
History of the New Leader
Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish publications, is recognized for her advocacy of Israel and her skepticism of "cancel culture".
Since its start as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million followers, including over 170,000 paid subscribers.
It has drawn attention for coverage such as a feature questioning of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an examination of some images used by established media to illustrate famine in Gaza.
Big name authors include scholar 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 update coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".
"We are convinced the greater part of the country wants news that is balanced and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.
Additional Shifts at CBS
Specifics of the arrangement were not revealed. Paramount refused to discuss accounts that the corporation had paid $150 million in stock and cash.
Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood film producer of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his goal is to produce journalism that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the potential to engage all demographics.
His takeover of Paramount was approved by regulators this season, after the company consented to pay $16 million to settle a court case.
To secure clearance of the deal, Mr Ellison agreed to install an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess complaints of prejudice and committed to authorities that coverage would showcase a variety of view points.
He also said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air altered conversations.
Alliance Facts
CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with a global news organization, meaning news reporting including video footage can be exchanged.
In a message declaring the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount boss and his leadership team.
"They are making significant investments because they support news. Because they have courage. Because they cherish this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot succeed without mutual understanding, agreed principles, and a common reality," she wrote.
