đŸ”— Share this article Ex- NYT Columnist Appointed to Head CBS Post Paramount Merger The media conglomerate has named ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, marking the newest move by current leadership to restructure workings of a major US news outlets. Paramount is also purchasing The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss started after her contentious exit from the New York Times, in a arrangement reported to be worth $150 million. Ms Weiss, who has criticised television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison recently as part of a wider merger with Paramount. Profile of the Appointee Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish publications, is known for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "woke culture". From its inception as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million subscribers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters. It has received recognition for coverage such as a article questioning of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an examination of some images used by mainstream news outlets to showcase famine in Gaza. Big name authors include historian Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen. Vision for CBS Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a bigger campaign to update programming at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news". "We are convinced the greater part of the country longs for news that is even-handed and accurate, and we want CBS to be their source," he said. More Change at CBS Details of the deal were not disclosed. Paramount would not address stories that the company had paid $150 million in shares and money. 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 aim is to produce journalism that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the potential to reach all viewers. His purchase of Paramount was cleared by regulators this summer, after the company committed to pay $16 million to conclude a legal action. To secure clearance of the transaction, Mr Ellison committed to establish an independent ombudsman at CBS to review concerns of prejudice and vowed to authorities that programming would showcase a range of opinions. He further said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air altered conversations. Collaboration Information CBS News has a partnership agreement with a global news organization, meaning news content including recorded segments can be exchanged. In a message revealing the deal, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount boss and his management group. "They are doubling down because they believe in news. Because they have conviction. Because they cherish this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot thrive without shared information, universal realities, and a common reality," she stated.