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The media conglomerate has selected ex- NYT opinion writer Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, marking the latest move by current leadership to restructure activities of a major US news organisations.

The company is also buying The Free Press, the online publication Weiss started after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a deal said to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming too partisan, said she was enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a broader merger with Paramount.

Background of the Appointee

Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish publications, is known for her backing of Israel and her skepticism of "cancel culture".

Since its start as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million followers, including in excess of 170,000 paying members.

It has garnered notice for articles such as a piece skeptical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an investigation of some images used by traditional journalism to showcase famine in Gaza.

Big name writers include academic Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.

Future Direction

Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a larger initiative to update coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".

"We think the bulk of the country wants news that is fair and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Terms of the deal were not made public. Paramount would not address stories that the corporation had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

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 objective is to produce coverage that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the potential to connect with all viewers.

His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by regulators this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to resolve a legal action.

To obtain consent of the transaction, Mr Ellison pledged to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to assess complaints of prejudice and committed to authorities that coverage would include a range of view points.

He further said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.

Partnership Details

CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with an international broadcaster, meaning news reporting including video footage can be distributed.

In a note announcing the deal, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount boss and his management group.

"They are doubling down because they believe in news. Because they have bravery. Because they value this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot prosper without common facts, universal realities, and a unified worldview," she commented.