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Paramount has appointed former NYT columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, representing the most recent move by recent acquirers to restructure workings of a prominent American news networks.

The company is also acquiring The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss started after her disputed exit from the New York Times, in a arrangement estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming overly political, said she was eager to shape CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison recently as part of a wider merger with Paramount.

History of the Appointee

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish media organizations, is recognized for her advocacy of Israel and her criticism of "cancel culture".

Beginning as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters.

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

Notable contributors include scholar Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

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

"We believe the greater part of the country wants news that is balanced and truthful, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

More Change at CBS

Specifics of the deal were not made public. Paramount refused to discuss accounts that the firm had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood cinematic creator 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 politically skewed, and therefore has the ability to reach all viewers.

His takeover of Paramount was approved by regulators this season, after the company consented to pay $16 million to resolve a legal action.

To secure clearance of the deal, Mr Ellison agreed to create an external reviewer at CBS to assess complaints of prejudice and promised to regulators that content would showcase a diversity of view points.

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

Alliance Facts

CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with another major network, meaning news material including recorded segments can be exchanged.

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

"They are doubling down because they have faith in news. Because they have courage. Because they value this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot thrive without shared information, agreed principles, and a common reality," she commented.