Former New York Times Journalist Appointed to Head CBS After Paramount Acquisition
Paramount has appointed ex- New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, marking the newest move by recent acquirers to reshape operations of a prominent American news outlets.
Paramount is also purchasing The Free Press, the online publication Weiss established after her disputed departure from the New York Times, in a agreement reported to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has criticised television news for becoming overly political, said she was excited to put her stamp on CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison in recent months as part of a wider merger with Paramount.
Background of the Appointee
Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish news outlets, is recognized for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "cancel culture".
Beginning as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million followers, including in excess of 170,000 paying members.
It has received recognition for articles such as a article critical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an investigation of some photographs used by established media to showcase famine in Gaza.
Prominent contributors include historian Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Strategic Plans
Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a bigger effort to modernize coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We believe the bulk of the country longs for news that is fair and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.
Additional Shifts at CBS
Terms of the arrangement were not made public. Paramount refused to discuss stories that the company had paid $150 million in equity and currency.
Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood movie maker of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his aim is to produce coverage that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to reach all viewers.
His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by government authorities this summer, after the company consented to pay $16 million to settle a court case.
To win approval of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to create an external reviewer at CBS to review allegations of partiality and vowed to regulators that content would showcase a diversity of view points.
He additionally said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air modified discussions.
Alliance Facts
CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with another major network, meaning news reporting including visual material can be distributed.
In a message announcing the deal, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount executive and his leadership team.
"They are doubling down because they support news. Because they have bravery. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot thrive without shared information, universal realities, and a common reality," she commented.
