🔗 Share this article Ex- NYT Journalist Appointed to Head CBS After Paramount Acquisition The media conglomerate has named ex- New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, marking the newest step by current leadership to restructure activities of a prominent American news outlets. The company is additionally buying The Free Press, the online publication Weiss founded after her disputed departure 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 enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison recently as part of a larger merger with Paramount. Background of the Executive Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish publications, is known for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "call-out culture". Since its start as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million subscribers, including more than 170,000 paying members. It has garnered notice for articles such as a piece critical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an analysis of some photographs used by mainstream news outlets to depict famine in Gaza. Big name authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen. Future Direction Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a bigger initiative to refresh content at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news". "We think the greater part of the country wants news that is fair and truthful, 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 reports that the corporation had paid $150 million in equity and currency. Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood film producer of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z. He has said his objective is to produce coverage that is less partisan, and therefore has the potential to connect with all audiences. His acquisition of Paramount was approved by oversight bodies this summer, after the company consented to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit. To win approval of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to establish an impartial arbitrator at CBS to review complaints of prejudice and vowed to regulators that coverage would reflect a diversity of opinions. He further said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations. Collaboration Information CBS News has a partnership agreement with an international broadcaster, meaning news material including recorded segments can be shared. In a note announcing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount leader and his management group. "They are committing fully because they have faith in news. Because they have conviction. Because they value this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot thrive without shared information, common truths, and a shared perspective," she commented.