Ex- New York Times Columnist to Lead CBS After Paramount Merger
Paramount has selected former NYT opinion writer Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, representing the newest step by recent acquirers to reshape operations of one of America's leading news outlets.
The company is also purchasing The Free Press, the online publication Weiss started after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a agreement reported to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has challenged broadcast media for becoming too partisan, said she was eager to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.
Background of the New Leader
Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish publications, is known for her support of Israel and her criticism of "call-out culture".
Beginning as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million subscribers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has garnered notice for reports such as a article critical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an investigation of some photographs used by mainstream news outlets to depict famine in Gaza.
Big name writers include academic Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.
Vision for CBS
Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a larger initiative to refresh coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible 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 arrangement were not made public. Paramount declined to comment accounts that the firm had paid $150 million in stock and cash.
Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood film producer 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 potential to reach all demographics.
His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by regulators this summer, after the company committed to pay $16 million to resolve a legal action.
To secure clearance of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to install an external reviewer at CBS to assess concerns of partiality and committed to oversight bodies that coverage would reflect a diversity of perspectives.
He further said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air altered conversations.
Alliance Facts
CBS News has a working relationship with another major network, meaning news content including video footage can be shared.
In a note declaring the deal, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount executive and his executive staff.
"They are doubling down because they support news. Because they have courage. Because they value this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot prosper without shared information, agreed principles, and a common reality," she wrote.