Ex- NYT Writer to Lead CBS Following Paramount Acquisition
Paramount has appointed ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, signaling the most recent move by recent acquirers to restructure workings of a major US news networks.
Paramount is also purchasing The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss started after her contentious exit from the New York Times, in a arrangement reported to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has challenged television news for becoming overly political, said she was enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a wider merger with Paramount.
Background of the Executive
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish news outlets, is known for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "call-out culture".
Beginning as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million readers, including over 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has drawn attention for coverage such as a piece skeptical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an examination of some images used by mainstream news outlets to showcase famine in Gaza.
Big name authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.
Strategic Plans
Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a larger campaign to refresh programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted 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
Details of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment stories that the firm had paid $150 million in equity and currency.
Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood cinematic creator of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his goal is to produce journalism that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the potential to connect with all demographics.
His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by regulators this summer, after the company consented to pay $16 million to settle a court case.
To obtain consent of the deal, Mr Ellison pledged to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to assess concerns of partiality and promised to oversight bodies that content would include a range of view points.
He also said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air modified discussions.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a working relationship with an international broadcaster, meaning news content including recorded segments can be distributed.
In a message declaring the agreement, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount boss and his executive staff.
"They are doubling down because they have faith in news. Because they have bravery. Because they cherish this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot succeed without shared information, agreed principles, and a shared perspective," she stated.
