🔗 Share this article Former New York Times Columnist Appointed to Head CBS Post Paramount Deal Paramount has appointed former NYT columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the most recent step by recent acquirers to restructure operations of one of America's leading news organisations. The company is furthermore acquiring The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss established after her acrimonious exit from the New York Times, in a deal estimated to be worth $150 million. Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming overly political, said she was enthusiastic to influence CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison recently as part of a larger merger with Paramount. Profile of the Appointee Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish news outlets, is recognized for her support of Israel and her criticism of "woke culture". Since its start as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million followers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters. It has received recognition for articles such as a piece skeptical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an investigation of some photos used by established media to showcase famine in Gaza. Prominent authors include academic Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen. Future Direction Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a broader initiative to modernize content at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news". "We are convinced the greater part of the country wants news that is fair and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said. Further Developments at CBS Specifics of the agreement were not disclosed. Paramount refused to discuss accounts that the corporation had paid $150 million in equity and currency. Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood movie maker of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z. He has said his objective is to produce journalism that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the capacity to reach all demographics. His takeover of Paramount was authorized by regulators this season, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to conclude a court case. To obtain consent of the transaction, Mr Ellison agreed to create an external reviewer at CBS to assess complaints of bias and promised to authorities that content would showcase a range of view points. He further said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air modified discussions. Collaboration Information CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news content including recorded segments can be shared. In a note revealing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount leader and his management group. "They are committing fully because they believe in news. Because they have bravery. Because they cherish this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot succeed without common facts, agreed principles, and a common reality," she stated.