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The media conglomerate has named ex- New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, signaling the most recent move by current leadership to reorganize operations of one of America's leading news outlets.

Paramount is additionally acquiring The Free Press, the online publication Weiss started after her contentious exit from the New York Times, in a arrangement estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has criticised broadcast media for becoming too partisan, said she was enthusiastic to influence CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison in recent months as part of a broader merger with Paramount.

Profile of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish publications, is known for her support of Israel and her questioning of "call-out culture".

Beginning as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 paying members.

It has garnered notice for coverage such as a article critical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an investigation of some photographs used by traditional journalism to showcase famine in Gaza.

Big name contributors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a bigger effort to refresh programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".

"We think the majority of the country desires news that is even-handed and truthful, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Terms of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount would not address accounts that the company had paid $150 million in shares and money.

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

He has said his aim is to produce reporting that is less partisan, and therefore has the potential to engage all audiences.

His purchase of Paramount was approved by regulators this recent period, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to conclude a legal action.

To obtain consent of the deal, Mr Ellison agreed to install an independent ombudsman at CBS to examine complaints of partiality and committed to regulators that programming would showcase a diversity of perspectives.

He also said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air edited interviews.

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a partnership agreement with an international broadcaster, meaning news reporting including recorded segments can be distributed.

In a note revealing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount leader and his executive staff.

"They are doubling down because they have faith in news. Because they have courage. Because they value this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot prosper without common facts, universal realities, and a shared perspective," she wrote.