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The media conglomerate has appointed former NYT columnist Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, representing the most recent initiative by current leadership to reorganize activities of a prominent American news organisations.

Paramount is also buying The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss established after her acrimonious exit from the New York Times, in a agreement said to be worth $150 million.

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

History of the New Leader

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish publications, is known for her advocacy of Israel and her criticism of "cancel culture".

Since its start as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million followers, including in excess of 170,000 subscribing supporters.

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

Prominent contributors include historian Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

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

"We think the greater part of the country desires news that is balanced and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.

Additional Shifts at CBS

Details of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount would not address reports that the firm had paid $150 million in shares and money.

Mr Ellison established his reputation 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 journalism that is less partisan, and therefore has the ability to engage all viewers.

His takeover of Paramount was cleared by government authorities this season, after the company consented to pay $16 million to resolve a court case.

To secure clearance of the transaction, Mr Ellison pledged to establish an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess allegations of bias and committed to authorities that content would include a diversity of view points.

He also said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air modified discussions.

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a partnership agreement with a global news organization, meaning news reporting including visual material can be exchanged.

In a statement revealing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount leader and his leadership team.

"They are doubling down because they support news. Because they have conviction. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot thrive without common facts, agreed principles, and a common reality," she commented.