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Paramount has appointed former NYT columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, representing the newest move by current leadership to restructure workings of a major US news networks.

The company is additionally buying The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss founded after her disputed departure from the New York Times, in a deal reported to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has challenged network journalism for becoming too partisan, said she was enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison in recent months as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Background of the Appointee

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish news outlets, is known for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "woke culture".

Since its start as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 paying members.

It has drawn attention for coverage such as a article critical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an analysis of some photographs used by established media to illustrate famine in Gaza.

Notable contributors include historian Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

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

"We believe the majority of the country desires news that is even-handed and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

Additional Shifts at CBS

Terms of the deal were not made public. Paramount declined to comment reports that the corporation had paid $150 million in shares and money.

Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood movie maker of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his goal is to produce reporting that is less partisan, and therefore has the ability to connect with all demographics.

His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by oversight bodies this season, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to resolve a lawsuit.

To win approval of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to establish an independent ombudsman at CBS to review complaints of bias and committed to authorities that programming would include a range of perspectives.

He further said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air altered conversations.

Collaboration Information

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

In a note announcing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount boss and his executive staff.

"They are doubling down because they believe in news. Because they have bravery. Because they value this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot succeed without common facts, agreed principles, and a shared perspective," she commented.