Former NYT Writer Appointed to Head CBS Post Paramount Deal
The media conglomerate has named former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, marking the newest initiative by recent acquirers to reshape operations of one of America's leading news networks.
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 questioned broadcast media for becoming overly political, said she was enthusiastic to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison in recent months as part of a larger merger with Paramount.
History of the Executive
Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish media organizations, is known for her support of Israel and her criticism of "call-out culture".
Since its start as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including in excess of 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has garnered notice for coverage such as a article questioning of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an analysis of some photographs used by mainstream news outlets to illustrate famine in Gaza.
Notable authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.
Strategic Plans
Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a bigger effort to modernize content at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We believe the bulk of the country longs for news that is balanced and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.
More Change at CBS
Details of the agreement were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment stories that the company had paid $150 million in stock and cash.
Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood movie maker of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his aim is to produce journalism that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the potential to engage all audiences.
His takeover of Paramount was approved by regulators this summer, after the company consented to pay $16 million to settle a legal action.
To obtain consent of the acquisition, Mr Ellison committed to establish an external reviewer at CBS to examine allegations of bias and vowed to regulators that content would reflect a diversity of opinions.
He additionally said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air edited interviews.
Partnership Details
CBS News has a partnership agreement with another major network, meaning news reporting including recorded segments can be shared.
In a note declaring the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount boss and his leadership team.
"They are doubling down because they support news. Because they have conviction. Because they cherish this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot succeed without mutual understanding, common truths, and a common reality," she commented.
