Former New York Times Columnist Takes Over CBS After Paramount Acquisition
The media conglomerate has named ex- New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, marking the newest move by new owners to reshape workings of a major US news organisations.
The company is additionally buying The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss started after her acrimonious exit from the New York Times, in a deal said to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has challenged broadcast media for becoming excessively biased, said she was eager to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.
History of the Appointee
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish media organizations, is noted for her support of Israel and her skepticism of "cancel culture".
From its inception as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million subscribers, including more than 170,000 paid subscribers.
It has garnered notice for reports such as a feature questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an analysis of some photos used by established media to depict famine in Gaza.
Big name contributors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Future Direction
Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a larger effort to update coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".
"We believe the bulk of the country longs for news that is even-handed and truthful, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.
Additional Shifts at CBS
Terms of the deal were not revealed. Paramount refused to discuss stories that the corporation had paid $150 million in stock and cash.
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 goal is to produce journalism that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the capacity to connect with all viewers.
His purchase of Paramount was approved by government authorities this summer, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to settle a legal action.
To obtain consent of the deal, Mr Ellison committed to install an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess complaints of prejudice and promised to oversight bodies that coverage would include a diversity of opinions.
He additionally said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air edited interviews.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a partnership agreement with a global news organization, meaning news content including recorded segments can be shared.
In a note announcing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount executive and his executive staff.
"They are doubling down because they believe in news. Because they have bravery. Because they cherish this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot thrive without mutual understanding, universal realities, and a common reality," she wrote.
