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Paramount has named former NYT commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the most recent move by recent acquirers to reorganize operations of a prominent American news outlets.

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

Ms Weiss, who has criticised television news for becoming overly political, said she was eager to put her stamp on CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison in recent months as part of a wider merger with Paramount.

History of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish publications, is recognized for her backing of Israel and her questioning of "woke culture".

From its inception as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million followers, including more than 170,000 paying members.

It has drawn attention for articles such as a piece questioning of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an investigation of some photographs used by traditional journalism to illustrate famine in Gaza.

Prominent contributors include academic Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Vision for CBS

Mr Ellison said the hiring 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 think the majority of the country wants news that is even-handed and accurate, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

Additional Shifts at CBS

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

Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood film producer of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his objective is to produce journalism that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the capacity to connect with all audiences.

His acquisition of Paramount was authorized by government authorities this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to settle a court case.

To win approval of the transaction, Mr Ellison agreed to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to examine complaints of bias and vowed to regulators that coverage would include a diversity of view points.

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

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a working relationship with an international broadcaster, meaning news material including visual material can be distributed.

In a message declaring the agreement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount executive and his leadership team.

"They are doubling down because they have faith in news. Because they have courage. Because they cherish this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot prosper without common facts, agreed principles, and a unified worldview," she commented.