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Paramount has appointed ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, signaling the newest step by new owners to reorganize workings of a major US news networks.

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

Ms Weiss, who has questioned broadcast media for becoming overly political, said she was enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison in recent months as part of a broader merger with Paramount.

History of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish publications, is noted for her backing of Israel and her criticism of "woke culture".

Beginning as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million followers, including over 170,000 paying members.

It has drawn attention for coverage such as a feature skeptical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an analysis of some photos used by established media to illustrate famine in Gaza.

Notable contributors include academic Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Future Direction

Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a larger initiative to update programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".

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

Further Developments at CBS

Terms of the arrangement were not made public. Paramount would not address reports that the corporation had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood cinematic creator of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his goal is to produce reporting that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the ability to engage all audiences.

His purchase of Paramount was authorized by oversight bodies this summer, after the company committed to pay $16 million to conclude a lawsuit.

To win approval of the transaction, Mr Ellison pledged to create an independent ombudsman at CBS to examine concerns of partiality and vowed to regulators that coverage would showcase a variety of view points.

He further said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.

Alliance Facts

CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with another major network, meaning news reporting including recorded segments can be shared.

In a statement announcing the deal, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount boss and his management group.

"They are doubling down because they have faith in news. Because they have courage. Because they cherish this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot prosper without mutual understanding, common truths, and a common reality," she commented.