🔗 Share this article Ex- New York Times Journalist to Lead CBS Post Paramount Deal Paramount has named former New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the most recent initiative by recent acquirers to restructure workings of a prominent American news networks. Paramount is furthermore acquiring The Free Press, the online publication Weiss founded after her disputed separation from the New York Times, in a agreement reported to be worth $150 million. Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming overly political, said she was excited to influence CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison recently as part of a broader merger with Paramount. Background of the Executive Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish media organizations, is recognized for her support of Israel and her skepticism of "cancel culture". Beginning as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million subscribers, including in excess of 170,000 paid subscribers. It has received recognition for articles such as a feature critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an investigation of some images used by mainstream news outlets to illustrate famine in Gaza. Notable contributors include academic Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen. Strategic Plans Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a broader effort to refresh programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news". "We believe the greater part of the country wants news that is even-handed and accurate, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said. Further Developments at CBS Terms of the agreement were not revealed. Paramount refused to discuss reports that the firm had paid $150 million in equity and currency. Mr Ellison made his name 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 coverage that is less partisan, and therefore has the capacity to connect with all audiences. His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by government authorities this summer, after the company committed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit. To obtain consent of the acquisition, Mr Ellison pledged to create an external reviewer at CBS to assess concerns of prejudice and promised to regulators that coverage would reflect a variety of perspectives. He additionally said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air edited interviews. Alliance Facts CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with another major network, meaning news material including recorded segments can be shared. In a statement announcing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount boss and his leadership team. "They are committing fully because they support news. Because they have courage. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot prosper without shared information, universal realities, and a unified worldview," she commented.