Ex- NYT Writer Appointed to Head CBS Following Paramount Merger

The media conglomerate has named former New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, marking the most recent initiative by new owners to reshape workings of one of America's leading news organisations.

The company is also acquiring The Free Press, the online publication Weiss founded after her disputed exit from the New York Times, in a arrangement reported to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has criticised television news for becoming overly political, said she was eager to shape CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a broader merger with Paramount.

History of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish publications, is noted for her advocacy of Israel and her criticism of "cancel culture".

From its inception as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has garnered notice for articles such as a piece critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an examination of some photos used by established media to showcase famine in Gaza.

Notable contributors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Future Direction

Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a broader initiative to modernize content at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news".

"We believe the majority of the country wants news that is balanced and accurate, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

Additional Shifts at CBS

Terms of the deal were not revealed. Paramount would not address accounts that the company had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood film producer of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his aim is to produce reporting that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the capacity to reach all demographics.

His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by regulators this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to settle a legal action.

To secure clearance of the deal, Mr Ellison committed to establish an impartial arbitrator at CBS to examine concerns of bias and committed to regulators that coverage would reflect a range of opinions.

He also said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air edited interviews.

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a working relationship with another major network, meaning news reporting including visual material can be shared.

In a note announcing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount executive and his management group.

"They are making significant investments because they believe in news. Because they have bravery. Because they love this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot prosper without shared information, universal realities, and a shared perspective," she wrote.