Former New York Times Journalist Takes Over CBS After Paramount Deal
The media conglomerate has selected ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, marking the most recent step by current leadership to restructure activities of one of America's leading news organisations.
The company is furthermore buying The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss started after her disputed departure from the New York Times, in a deal reported 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 recently as part of a larger merger with Paramount.
Background of the Appointee
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish media organizations, is noted for her support of Israel and her questioning of "cancel culture".
From its inception as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including in excess of 170,000 paying members.
It has received recognition for coverage such as a feature questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an investigation of some photos used by established media to depict famine in Gaza.
Prominent contributors include academic Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Strategic Plans
Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a bigger campaign to refresh coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news".
"We believe the majority of the country desires news that is fair and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.
Additional Shifts at CBS
Terms of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount refused to discuss reports that the corporation 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 aim is to produce reporting that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the potential to reach all audiences.
His takeover of Paramount was cleared by government authorities this season, after the company consented to pay $16 million to settle a court case.
To obtain consent of the deal, Mr Ellison pledged to establish an external reviewer at CBS to assess complaints of bias and vowed to authorities that content would include a variety of perspectives.
He additionally said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air modified discussions.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a partnership agreement with a global news organization, meaning news material including video footage can be exchanged.
In a message declaring the deal, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount leader and his leadership team.
"They are committing fully because they support news. Because they have conviction. Because they value this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot prosper without mutual understanding, universal realities, and a unified worldview," she wrote.
