Former NYT Journalist Appointed to Head CBS Following Paramount Merger
Paramount has selected ex- NYT opinion writer Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, marking the most recent step by current leadership to reorganize operations of one of America's leading news networks.
The company is additionally purchasing The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss established after her acrimonious departure from the New York Times, in a arrangement said to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has criticised broadcast media for becoming overly political, said she was enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison in recent months as part of a wider merger with Paramount.
Background of the Executive
Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish news outlets, is known for her support of Israel and her criticism of "call-out culture".
Since its start as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including in excess of 170,000 paying members.
It has received recognition for reports such as a article questioning of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an investigation of some photos used by traditional journalism to illustrate famine in Gaza.
Prominent authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.
Strategic Plans
Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a bigger effort to modernize coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news".
"We believe the majority of the country desires news that is even-handed and truthful, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.
More Change at CBS
Terms of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment accounts that the company had paid $150 million in shares and money.
Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood movie maker of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his aim is to produce journalism that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to reach all viewers.
His takeover of Paramount was authorized by regulators this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to resolve a lawsuit.
To secure clearance of the transaction, Mr Ellison pledged to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to review complaints of bias and committed to authorities that content would include a variety of opinions.
He also said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a partnership agreement with another major network, meaning news reporting including video footage can be shared.
In a note declaring the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount executive and his executive staff.
"They are committing fully because they support news. Because they have bravery. Because they love this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot succeed without common facts, common truths, and a shared perspective," she commented.
