🔗 Share this article

The media conglomerate has named ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, signaling the latest step by recent acquirers to restructure activities of a major US news organisations.

The company is furthermore acquiring The Free Press, the online publication Weiss founded after her disputed exit from the New York Times, in a deal said to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was excited to put her stamp on CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a broader merger with Paramount.

Profile of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish news outlets, is known for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "call-out culture".

From its inception as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million followers, including in excess of 170,000 paid subscribers.

It has garnered notice for reports such as a piece critical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an examination of some photographs used by mainstream news outlets to illustrate famine in Gaza.

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

Vision for CBS

Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a bigger effort to refresh coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".

"We think the majority of the country wants news that is balanced and truthful, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.

Additional Shifts at CBS

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment accounts that the corporation had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

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

He has said his objective is to produce coverage that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the capacity to connect with all viewers.

His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by government authorities this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to resolve a lawsuit.

To win approval of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to review allegations of partiality and promised to oversight bodies that coverage would include a diversity of view points.

He also said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air modified discussions.

Alliance Facts

CBS News has a partnership agreement with an international broadcaster, meaning news material including video footage can be distributed.

In a message revealing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount boss and his executive staff.

"They are doubling down because they have faith in news. Because they have conviction. Because they value this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot prosper without common facts, universal realities, and a shared perspective," she commented.