🔗 Share this article Former NYT Journalist Appointed to Head CBS Following Paramount Acquisition The media conglomerate has named ex- NYT columnist Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, marking the newest step by new owners to restructure operations of a prominent American news outlets. Paramount is furthermore buying The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss founded after her acrimonious departure from the New York Times, in a agreement said to be worth $150 million. Ms Weiss, who has questioned network journalism for becoming overly political, said she was excited to shape CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison recently as part of a larger merger with Paramount. History of the New Leader Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish media organizations, is noted for her support of Israel and her skepticism of "woke culture". Beginning as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 subscribing supporters. It has received recognition for reports such as a piece critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an investigation of some photos used by mainstream news outlets to showcase famine in Gaza. Prominent writers include scholar Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen. Vision for CBS Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a broader effort to refresh content at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news". "We believe the bulk of the country longs for news that is even-handed and truthful, and we want CBS to be their source," he said. Additional Shifts at CBS Details of the deal were not revealed. Paramount would not address reports that the corporation had paid $150 million in shares and money. Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood cinematic creator 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 capacity to connect with all viewers. His purchase of Paramount was authorized by oversight bodies this recent period, after the company consented to pay $16 million to resolve a lawsuit. To secure clearance of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to establish an impartial arbitrator at CBS to assess allegations of partiality and committed to authorities that programming would include a variety of view points. He further said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air modified discussions. Alliance Facts CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with another major network, meaning news material including recorded segments can be distributed. In a statement announcing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount executive and his management group. "They are making significant investments because they believe in news. Because they have conviction. Because they value this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot thrive without shared information, agreed principles, and a unified worldview," she commented.