🔗 Share this article Former NYT Writer Takes Over CBS After Paramount Acquisition Paramount has appointed ex- New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, marking the most recent initiative by recent acquirers to reorganize activities of a major US news networks. The company is furthermore purchasing The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss started after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a arrangement said to be worth $150 million. Ms Weiss, who has criticised broadcast media for becoming overly political, said she was enthusiastic to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison recently as part of a broader merger with Paramount. History of the New Leader Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish media organizations, is noted for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "woke culture". Beginning as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million subscribers, including in excess of 170,000 subscribing supporters. It has received recognition for articles such as a feature skeptical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an investigation of some images used by mainstream news outlets to showcase famine in Gaza. Notable authors include historian Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen. Future Direction Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a broader campaign to modernize content at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news". "We think the majority of the country wants news that is even-handed and truthful, and we want CBS to be their source," he said. Additional Shifts at CBS Details of the agreement were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment stories that the firm had paid $150 million in shares and money. Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood movie maker of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z. He has said his aim is to produce coverage that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to connect with all viewers. His takeover of Paramount was approved by oversight bodies this summer, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to settle a court case. To win approval of the transaction, Mr Ellison agreed to install an impartial arbitrator at CBS to assess complaints of partiality and promised to authorities that coverage would reflect a range of perspectives. He further said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air edited interviews. Collaboration Information CBS News has a working relationship with another major network, meaning news reporting including video footage can be shared. In a message declaring the deal, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount executive and his executive staff. "They are committing fully because they have faith in news. Because they have conviction. Because they cherish this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot prosper without mutual understanding, universal realities, and a common reality," she wrote.