Former NYT Journalist to Lead CBS Following Paramount Merger
Paramount has selected former NYT columnist Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, marking the latest move by new owners to restructure activities of a prominent American news outlets.
The company is also purchasing The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss started after her contentious exit from the New York Times, in a deal said to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has challenged television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was enthusiastic to influence CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison in recent months as part of a wider merger with Paramount.
Profile of the New Leader
Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish media organizations, is known for her backing of Israel and her criticism of "cancel culture".
From its inception as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million followers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters.
It has drawn attention for reports such as a article questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an investigation of some images used by traditional journalism to depict famine in Gaza.
Prominent authors include historian Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.
Strategic Plans
Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a larger initiative to refresh content at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".
"We are convinced the greater part of the country desires news that is fair and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.
Additional Shifts at CBS
Specifics of the agreement were not revealed. Paramount refused to discuss stories that the company had paid $150 million in stock and cash.
Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood cinematic creator of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his goal is to produce reporting that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the ability to engage all demographics.
His takeover of Paramount was approved by regulators this recent period, after the company consented to pay $16 million to resolve a lawsuit.
To obtain consent of the transaction, Mr Ellison pledged to create an external reviewer at CBS to assess complaints of bias and promised to regulators that coverage would showcase a diversity of perspectives.
He also said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air edited interviews.
Collaboration Information
CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with an international broadcaster, meaning news reporting including recorded segments can be exchanged.
In a message revealing the deal, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount leader and his leadership team.
"They are committing fully because they support news. Because they have courage. Because they cherish this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot succeed without common facts, universal realities, and a common reality," she wrote.
