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The media conglomerate has selected former NYT columnist Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, representing the newest initiative by new owners to reshape workings of a prominent American news outlets.

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

Ms Weiss, who has criticised broadcast media for becoming overly political, said she was excited to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison in recent months as part of a wider merger with Paramount.

Profile of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish news outlets, is recognized for her backing of Israel and her questioning of "call-out culture".

Since its start as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including over 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has garnered notice for reports such as a feature critical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an analysis of some photographs used by traditional journalism to showcase famine in Gaza.

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

Strategic Plans

Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a bigger campaign to modernize content at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable 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

Details of the agreement were not disclosed. Paramount refused to discuss stories that the corporation had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood film producer of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his aim is to produce reporting that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to connect with all demographics.

His takeover of Paramount was approved by government authorities this season, after the company consented to pay $16 million to conclude a lawsuit.

To obtain consent of the transaction, Mr Ellison pledged to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to assess concerns of bias and committed to authorities that coverage would showcase a variety of perspectives.

He additionally said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air edited interviews.

Collaboration Information

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

In a message declaring the agreement, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount executive and his executive staff.

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