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The media conglomerate has selected ex- NYT opinion writer Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the most recent initiative by current leadership to reorganize workings of one of America's leading news networks.

The company is additionally buying The Free Press, the online publication Weiss established after her contentious exit from the New York Times, in a deal said to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has criticised broadcast media for becoming overly political, said she was eager to influence CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison recently as part of a wider merger with Paramount.

Profile of the New Leader

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish news outlets, is noted for her support of Israel and her skepticism of "call-out culture".

Beginning as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has received recognition for reports such as a feature questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an examination of some images used by mainstream news outlets to illustrate famine in Gaza.

Notable authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

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

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

More Change at CBS

Terms of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount would not address stories that the company had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

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

He has said his objective is to produce reporting that is less partisan, and therefore has the potential to connect with all audiences.

His acquisition of Paramount was authorized by government authorities this recent period, after the company consented to pay $16 million to resolve a lawsuit.

To win approval of the deal, Mr Ellison pledged to install an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess allegations of bias and vowed to regulators that programming would reflect a diversity of perspectives.

He also said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a working relationship with an international broadcaster, meaning news content including visual material can be exchanged.

In a note announcing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount executive and his executive staff.

"They are making significant investments because they have faith in news. Because they have bravery. Because they cherish this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot thrive without common facts, common truths, and a common reality," she wrote.