Ex- NYT Writer Appointed to Head CBS Post Paramount Acquisition
The media conglomerate has selected former NYT columnist Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, representing the latest move by recent acquirers to restructure workings of one of America's leading news outlets.
The company is also purchasing The Free Press, the online publication Weiss established after her acrimonious separation from the New York Times, in a deal said to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has challenged network journalism for becoming excessively biased, said she was eager to influence CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison in recent months as part of a larger merger with Paramount.
Background of the Executive
Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish news outlets, is recognized for her backing of Israel and her questioning of "cancel culture".
Beginning as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million followers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has received recognition for reports such as a article critical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an examination of some photographs used by mainstream news outlets to depict famine in Gaza.
Notable authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.
Strategic Plans
Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a larger initiative to update content at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news".
"We are convinced the majority of the country longs for news that is even-handed and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.
More Change at CBS
Terms of the arrangement were not revealed. Paramount declined to comment reports that the firm had paid $150 million in equity and currency.
Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood movie maker 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 more balanced politically, and therefore has the ability to engage all viewers.
His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by oversight bodies this season, after the company committed to pay $16 million to resolve a legal action.
To secure clearance of the transaction, Mr Ellison pledged to install an impartial arbitrator at CBS to review complaints of partiality and vowed to regulators that content would reflect a range of view points.
He further said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a working relationship with an international broadcaster, meaning news material including video footage can be distributed.
In a note revealing the deal, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount executive and his leadership team.
"They are doubling down because they support news. Because they have bravery. Because they value this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot succeed without shared information, universal realities, and a unified worldview," she commented.
