🔗 Share this article Former New York Times Writer to Lead CBS Following Paramount Acquisition Paramount has named former New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the most recent move by current leadership to reshape activities of one of America's leading news outlets. Paramount is furthermore acquiring The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss established after her disputed departure from the New York Times, in a agreement estimated to be worth $150 million. Ms Weiss, who has criticised broadcast media for becoming overly political, said she was enthusiastic to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison recently as part of a wider merger with Paramount. Profile of the Executive Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish media organizations, is recognized for her support of Israel and her criticism of "woke culture". Since its start as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 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 images used by mainstream news outlets to illustrate famine in Gaza. Prominent authors include historian Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen. Strategic Plans Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a larger effort to refresh coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news". "We are convinced the majority of the country desires news that is fair and truthful, and we want CBS to be their home," he said. Additional Shifts at CBS Terms of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment stories that the firm had paid $150 million in equity and currency. Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood movie maker of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z. He has said his aim is to produce journalism that is less partisan, 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 conclude a court case. To win approval of the transaction, Mr Ellison agreed to establish an impartial arbitrator at CBS to review concerns of bias and promised to regulators that programming would reflect a diversity of opinions. He additionally said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air altered conversations. Collaboration Information CBS News has a partnership agreement with another major network, meaning news content including recorded segments can be exchanged. In a statement announcing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount executive and his leadership team. "They are doubling down because they have faith in news. Because they have bravery. Because they value this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot prosper without shared information, universal realities, and a common reality," she wrote.