Ex- New York Times Writer Appointed to Head CBS After Paramount Deal
Paramount has named ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, representing the most recent step by new owners to restructure workings of a major US news networks.
The company is also buying The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss founded after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a deal said to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has challenged television news for becoming too partisan, said she was excited to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison in recent months as part of a wider merger with Paramount.
Background of the Executive
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish publications, is recognized for her support of Israel and her criticism of "call-out culture".
Since its start as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has received recognition for coverage such as a feature questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an analysis of some photographs used by traditional journalism to illustrate famine in Gaza.
Prominent contributors include academic Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Strategic Plans
Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a broader initiative to update content at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news".
"We are convinced the bulk of the country wants news that is balanced and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.
More Change at CBS
Details of the deal were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment stories that the corporation had paid $150 million in shares and money.
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 goal is to produce reporting that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to engage all demographics.
His acquisition of Paramount was approved by government authorities this recent period, after the company consented to pay $16 million to conclude a legal action.
To obtain consent of the deal, Mr Ellison committed to establish an impartial arbitrator at CBS to review complaints of partiality and vowed to oversight bodies that programming would showcase a range of opinions.
He also said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air edited interviews.
Partnership Details
CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with a global news organization, meaning news material including visual material can be shared.
In a note revealing the deal, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount executive and his management group.
"They are committing fully because they have faith in news. Because they have bravery. Because they cherish this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot thrive without mutual understanding, agreed principles, and a shared perspective," she wrote.