Former New York Times Columnist Appointed to Head CBS Post Paramount Deal
Paramount has appointed ex- NYT columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, marking the newest step by new owners to restructure operations of a prominent American news networks.
Paramount is furthermore purchasing The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss founded after her disputed exit 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 shape CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a broader merger with Paramount.
Profile of the New Leader
Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish media organizations, is known for her backing of Israel and her criticism of "call-out culture".
Since its start as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million readers, including over 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has drawn attention for reports such as a piece questioning of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an analysis of some photos used by traditional journalism to illustrate famine in Gaza.
Prominent authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.
Future Direction
Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a larger campaign to modernize coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news".
"We think the majority of the country desires news that is balanced and truthful, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.
Additional Shifts at CBS
Specifics of the deal were not revealed. Paramount declined to comment reports that the firm had paid $150 million in shares and money.
Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood movie maker of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his goal is to produce reporting that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the potential to connect with all demographics.
His acquisition of Paramount was authorized by regulators this summer, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to resolve a lawsuit.
To secure clearance of the transaction, Mr Ellison agreed to install an external reviewer at CBS to examine complaints of bias and promised to regulators that content would include a diversity of perspectives.
He also said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air modified discussions.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with an international broadcaster, meaning news material including visual material can be shared.
In a message declaring the agreement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount leader and his management group.
"They are committing fully 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, universal realities, and a shared perspective," she wrote.
