🔗 Share this article

The media conglomerate has selected ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, representing the newest initiative by current leadership to restructure operations of a major US news outlets.

The company is furthermore acquiring The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss started after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a agreement said to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has criticised network journalism for becoming excessively biased, said she was eager to put her stamp on CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison in recent months as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Profile of the New Leader

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish media organizations, is known for her support of Israel and her questioning of "call-out culture".

Since its start as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including more than 170,000 paid subscribers.

It has garnered notice for reports such as a feature questioning of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an analysis of some photos used by mainstream news outlets to illustrate famine in Gaza.

Notable writers include historian Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.

Future Direction

Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a broader initiative to modernize programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news".

"We think the greater part of the country desires news that is fair and accurate, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

Additional Shifts at CBS

Specifics of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment accounts that the company had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

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

He has said his aim is to produce coverage that is less partisan, and therefore has the ability to connect with all audiences.

His purchase of Paramount was cleared by government authorities this season, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to settle a legal action.

To obtain consent of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to install an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess concerns of prejudice and promised to authorities that programming would showcase a diversity of view points.

He further said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air altered conversations.

Alliance Facts

CBS News has a partnership agreement with a global news organization, meaning news content including visual material can be distributed.

In a statement declaring the agreement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount executive and his executive staff.

"They are making significant investments because they support news. Because they have conviction. Because they cherish this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot thrive without mutual understanding, universal realities, and a common reality," she stated.