Ex- NYT Columnist Takes Over CBS Post Paramount Acquisition
The media conglomerate has named former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, signaling the latest move by current leadership to reshape activities of a major US news organisations.
The company is additionally buying The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss started after her acrimonious separation from the New York Times, in a deal reported to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has challenged television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was excited to influence CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a broader merger with Paramount.
Profile of the Appointee
Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish publications, is noted for her support of Israel and her skepticism of "call-out culture".
Since its start as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million readers, including in excess of 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has drawn attention for articles such as a feature questioning of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an analysis of some photographs used by traditional journalism to depict famine in Gaza.
Prominent writers include academic Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Vision for CBS
Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a broader initiative to modernize coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We are convinced the bulk of the country longs for news that is even-handed and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.
Further Developments at CBS
Terms of the agreement were not revealed. Paramount declined to comment reports that the firm had paid $150 million in equity and currency.
Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood cinematic creator of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his objective is to produce journalism that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the potential to reach all demographics.
His purchase of Paramount was approved by government authorities this season, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to resolve a court case.
To secure clearance of the transaction, Mr Ellison agreed to install an external reviewer at CBS to review concerns of partiality and promised to regulators that programming would showcase a diversity of opinions.
He additionally said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.
Alliance Facts
CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with a global news organization, meaning news content including video footage can be shared.
In a message revealing the deal, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount boss 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 understand, as we do, that America cannot succeed without mutual understanding, universal realities, and a shared perspective," she commented.
