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The media conglomerate has named ex- New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the latest initiative by new owners to restructure workings of one of America's leading news outlets.

The company is furthermore purchasing The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss started after her acrimonious separation from the New York Times, in a deal said to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has challenged broadcast media for becoming excessively biased, said she was excited to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a wider merger with Paramount.

History of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish media organizations, is known for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "call-out culture".

Since its start as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million followers, including over 170,000 paid subscribers.

It has garnered notice for reports such as a feature skeptical 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 writers include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Future Direction

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

"We are convinced the greater part of the country wants news that is fair and accurate, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Terms of the arrangement were not revealed. Paramount would not address accounts that the firm had paid $150 million in shares and money.

Mr Ellison established his reputation 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 journalism that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the ability to connect with all viewers.

His takeover of Paramount was cleared by government authorities this recent period, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to conclude a court case.

To obtain consent of the deal, Mr Ellison pledged to create an external reviewer at CBS to assess complaints of partiality and promised to regulators that coverage would reflect a variety of perspectives.

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

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a partnership agreement with another major network, meaning news content including video footage can be shared.

In a statement declaring the agreement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount executive and his leadership team.

"They are doubling down because they support news. Because they have bravery. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot thrive without shared information, universal realities, and a shared perspective," she stated.