Ex- NYT Writer to Lead CBS After Paramount Merger

Paramount has named former NYT opinion writer Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, representing the most recent step by recent acquirers to reshape workings of a prominent American news networks.

Paramount is also buying The Free Press, the online publication Weiss founded after her disputed departure from the New York Times, in a arrangement said to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has challenged network journalism for becoming too partisan, said she was enthusiastic to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison recently as part of a broader merger with Paramount.

History of the Appointee

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish news outlets, is noted for her advocacy of Israel and her skepticism of "woke culture".

Beginning as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million followers, including over 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has garnered notice for articles such as a feature questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an examination of some images used by mainstream news outlets to depict famine in Gaza.

Big name contributors include scholar Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.

Future Direction

Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a broader effort to update programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".

"We believe the bulk of the country wants news that is even-handed and truthful, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Details of the agreement were not made public. Paramount refused to discuss reports that the company had paid $150 million in shares and money.

Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood cinematic creator of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his aim is to produce coverage that is less partisan, and therefore has the ability to engage all audiences.

His purchase of Paramount was authorized by government authorities this summer, after the company committed to pay $16 million to conclude a legal action.

To secure clearance of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to examine complaints of partiality and committed to authorities that coverage would showcase a range of opinions.

He additionally said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air edited interviews.

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a partnership agreement with another major network, meaning news reporting including video footage can be exchanged.

In a statement declaring the deal, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount leader and his management group.

"They are committing fully because they support news. Because they have courage. Because they love this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot prosper without shared information, universal realities, and a common reality," she wrote.