Ex- New York Times Journalist Takes Over CBS Post Paramount Deal
The media conglomerate has appointed ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, representing the latest initiative by new owners to reshape operations of one of America's leading news outlets.
The company is also acquiring The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss founded after her acrimonious separation from the New York Times, in a deal estimated to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has criticised television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was excited to influence CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a broader merger with Paramount.
Profile of the Executive
Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish publications, is known for her backing of Israel and her skepticism of "woke culture".
Beginning as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 paid subscribers.
It has received recognition for articles such as a feature critical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an investigation of some images used by established media to depict famine in Gaza.
Prominent contributors include academic Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.
Future Direction
Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a bigger initiative to modernize coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".
"We think the majority of the country wants news that is fair and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.
Additional Shifts at CBS
Specifics of the agreement were not made public. Paramount declined to comment reports that the firm had paid $150 million in equity and currency.
Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood movie maker of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his goal is to produce journalism that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the capacity to connect with all demographics.
His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by oversight bodies this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to conclude a legal action.
To win approval of the acquisition, Mr Ellison committed to establish an independent ombudsman at CBS to examine concerns of partiality and committed to authorities that coverage would reflect a variety of view points.
He also said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.
Partnership Details
CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news reporting including video footage can be exchanged.
In a message revealing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount boss and his executive staff.
"They are making significant investments because they believe in news. Because they have conviction. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot prosper without shared information, universal realities, and a shared perspective," she stated.