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Paramount has appointed former NYT columnist Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, marking the newest step by current leadership to reshape workings of one of America's leading news outlets.

Paramount is also buying The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss started after her acrimonious exit from the New York Times, in a agreement reported to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was eager to influence CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a wider merger with Paramount.

Background of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish media organizations, is recognized for her support of Israel and her criticism of "cancel culture".

From its inception as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million readers, including over 170,000 paying members.

It has garnered notice for reports such as a feature questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an investigation of some photos used by traditional journalism to showcase famine in Gaza.

Prominent authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a broader campaign to modernize programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".

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

Further Developments at CBS

Specifics of the agreement were not made public. Paramount declined to comment accounts that the firm had paid $150 million in shares and money.

Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood cinematic creator of blockbusters 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 potential to engage all viewers.

His takeover of Paramount was cleared by oversight bodies this summer, after the company committed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit.

To secure clearance of the transaction, Mr Ellison agreed to install an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess complaints of bias and promised to authorities that programming would showcase a range of view points.

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

Alliance Facts

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

In a message announcing the deal, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount leader and his management group.

"They are doubling down because they believe in news. Because they have conviction. Because they love this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot prosper without common facts, universal realities, and a unified worldview," she commented.