Ex- NYT Columnist Appointed to Head CBS Post Paramount Acquisition
The media conglomerate has selected former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, representing the latest move by new owners to reorganize activities of a prominent American news outlets.
The company is furthermore buying The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss started after her contentious separation from the New York Times, in a arrangement estimated to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has challenged television news for becoming excessively biased, 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.
Background of the Executive
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish publications, is known for her advocacy of Israel and her skepticism of "call-out culture".
From its inception as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million followers, including over 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has received recognition for articles such as a feature critical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an analysis of some images used by established media to illustrate famine in Gaza.
Notable authors include historian Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.
Future Direction
Mr Ellison said the appointment 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 longs for news that is balanced and accurate, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.
More Change at CBS
Specifics of the agreement were not revealed. Paramount would not address accounts that the corporation had paid $150 million in stock and cash.
Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood film producer of major films 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 viewers.
His purchase of Paramount was authorized by oversight bodies this recent period, after the company consented to pay $16 million to resolve a legal action.
To secure clearance of the transaction, Mr Ellison agreed to establish an external reviewer at CBS to examine complaints of bias and promised to oversight bodies that programming would reflect a diversity of opinions.
He additionally said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a working relationship with another major network, meaning news content including visual material can be distributed.
In a message declaring the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount executive and his leadership team.
"They are committing fully because they support news. Because they have bravery. Because they cherish this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot prosper without common facts, agreed principles, and a unified worldview," she stated.
