Former New York Times Writer Takes Over CBS After Paramount Acquisition
The media conglomerate has selected ex- NYT columnist Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, representing the newest move by recent acquirers to reshape activities of a prominent American news outlets.
The company is also purchasing The Free Press, the online publication Weiss started after her disputed departure from the New York Times, in a agreement said to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has criticised network journalism for becoming too partisan, said she was enthusiastic to put her stamp on CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a wider merger with Paramount.
History of the Executive
Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish media organizations, is noted for her support of Israel and her skepticism of "call-out culture".
From its inception as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has garnered notice for coverage such as a piece critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an examination of some photographs used by mainstream news outlets to showcase famine in Gaza.
Notable contributors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Future Direction
Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a larger initiative to update programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We are convinced the bulk of the country desires news that is fair and accurate, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.
More Change at CBS
Details of the deal were not revealed. Paramount would not address accounts that the company had paid $150 million in equity and currency.
Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood movie maker of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his aim is to produce coverage that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the potential to reach all audiences.
His acquisition of Paramount was approved by regulators this summer, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to resolve a court case.
To obtain consent of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to install an external reviewer at CBS to review complaints of partiality and promised to oversight bodies that programming would reflect a variety of opinions.
He also said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air altered conversations.
Alliance Facts
CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with an international broadcaster, meaning news content including visual material can be exchanged.
In a message declaring the deal, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount boss and his leadership team.
"They are doubling down because they support news. Because they have conviction. Because they value this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot prosper without common facts, common truths, and a shared perspective," she wrote.
