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Paramount has selected former NYT commentator Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, marking the newest move by new owners to reshape operations of a prominent American news outlets.

The company is additionally buying The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss established after her disputed departure from the New York Times, in a agreement said to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has challenged television news for becoming too partisan, said she was excited to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Background of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish media organizations, is known for her support of Israel and her skepticism of "cancel culture".

Beginning as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 paid subscribers.

It has received recognition for coverage such as a article critical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an analysis of some images used by mainstream news outlets to depict famine in Gaza.

Prominent authors include academic Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Vision for CBS

Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a bigger initiative to update content at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".

"We are convinced the bulk of the country longs for news that is even-handed and accurate, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.

Additional Shifts at CBS

Specifics of the arrangement were not made public. Paramount refused to discuss stories that the firm had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

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 journalism that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the ability to reach all viewers.

His acquisition of Paramount was authorized by regulators this season, after the company committed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit.

To obtain consent of the transaction, Mr Ellison agreed to install an external reviewer at CBS to review complaints of bias and vowed to regulators that content would showcase a diversity of view points.

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

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with another major network, meaning news material including recorded segments can be shared.

In a statement announcing the deal, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount leader and his executive staff.

"They are committing fully because they have faith in news. Because they have bravery. Because they cherish this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot prosper without shared information, common truths, and a common reality," she wrote.