Ex- NYT Writer to Lead CBS Post Paramount Acquisition
The media conglomerate has appointed former NYT columnist Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, signaling the latest initiative by new owners to reorganize workings of a prominent American news outlets.
Paramount is furthermore purchasing The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss established after her acrimonious separation from the New York Times, in a deal estimated to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has challenged network journalism for becoming excessively biased, said she was enthusiastic to put her stamp on CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a broader merger with Paramount.
Background of the Executive
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish news outlets, is recognized for her advocacy of Israel and her criticism of "call-out culture".
Since its start as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million readers, including in excess of 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has garnered notice for articles such as a article questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an examination of some images used by mainstream news outlets to illustrate famine in Gaza.
Prominent contributors include historian Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Future Direction
Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a broader campaign to update coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news".
"We believe the greater part of the country longs for news that is fair and accurate, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.
Additional Shifts at CBS
Specifics of the agreement were not made public. Paramount would not address accounts that the firm had paid $150 million in stock and cash.
Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood movie maker of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his objective is to produce reporting that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the capacity to engage all viewers.
His purchase of Paramount was approved by government authorities this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to conclude a lawsuit.
To win approval of the transaction, Mr Ellison agreed to establish an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess concerns of prejudice and promised to regulators that programming would include a variety of view points.
He additionally said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air altered conversations.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a working relationship with an international broadcaster, meaning news reporting including visual material can be shared.
In a note declaring the agreement, 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 conviction. Because they value this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot thrive without common facts, agreed principles, and a unified worldview," she wrote.