Former NYT Columnist to Lead CBS Post Paramount Deal
The media conglomerate has named ex- NYT columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, marking the most recent initiative by current leadership to restructure workings of a major US news organisations.
Paramount is additionally acquiring The Free Press, the online publication Weiss started after her disputed exit from the New York Times, in a deal said to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming overly political, said she was enthusiastic to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison recently as part of a wider merger with Paramount.
History of the Appointee
Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish news outlets, is noted for her backing of Israel and her criticism of "cancel culture".
Since its start as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million subscribers, including more than 170,000 paid subscribers.
It has garnered notice for coverage such as a article critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an analysis of some images used by traditional journalism to showcase famine in Gaza.
Notable contributors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.
Vision for CBS
Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a larger effort to update programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".
"We think the majority of the country wants news that is fair and truthful, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.
More Change at CBS
Details of the deal were not made public. Paramount declined to comment reports that the firm had paid $150 million in equity and currency.
Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood movie maker of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his aim is to produce journalism that is less partisan, and therefore has the ability to reach all demographics.
His purchase of Paramount was authorized by oversight bodies this summer, after the company committed to pay $16 million to resolve a legal action.
To obtain consent of the deal, Mr Ellison agreed to create an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess concerns of partiality and vowed to oversight bodies that programming would showcase a range of opinions.
He additionally said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air altered conversations.
Partnership Details
CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with another major network, meaning news material including video footage can be distributed.
In a note revealing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount boss and his executive staff.
"They are doubling down because they believe in news. Because they have conviction. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot thrive without shared information, common truths, and a shared perspective," she stated.
