Ex- NYT Journalist to Lead CBS Following Paramount Merger
The media conglomerate has selected ex- New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, representing the newest step by recent acquirers to restructure activities of a major US news organisations.
The company is furthermore acquiring The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss established after her acrimonious exit from the New York Times, in a agreement estimated to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has challenged television news for becoming too partisan, said she was excited to influence CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a broader merger with Paramount.
History of the Executive
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish publications, is recognized for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "woke culture".
From its inception as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including over 170,000 paying members.
It has garnered notice for reports such as a article skeptical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an analysis of some photographs used by established media to illustrate famine in Gaza.
Notable authors include historian Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Vision for CBS
Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a broader effort to refresh coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We are convinced the greater part of the country wants news that is even-handed and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.
Further Developments at CBS
Details of the deal were not disclosed. Paramount refused to discuss stories that the corporation had paid $150 million in shares and money.
Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood cinematic creator of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his objective is to produce coverage that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the potential to connect with all viewers.
His purchase of Paramount was authorized by regulators this season, after the company consented to pay $16 million to resolve a court case.
To obtain consent of the deal, Mr Ellison pledged to create an external reviewer at CBS to review complaints of partiality and vowed to regulators that coverage would include a range of view points.
He further said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air altered conversations.
Alliance Facts
CBS News has a partnership agreement with an international broadcaster, meaning news reporting including visual material can be distributed.
In a message revealing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount executive and his executive staff.
"They are doubling down because they believe in 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 shared perspective," she stated.