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The media conglomerate has selected ex- New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, marking the newest initiative by current leadership to restructure workings of a major US news outlets.

The company is furthermore purchasing The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss started after her acrimonious departure from the New York Times, in a agreement said to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has criticised television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a broader merger with Paramount.

Background of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish media organizations, is known for her support of Israel and her criticism of "call-out culture".

From its inception as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million followers, including more than 170,000 paid subscribers.

It has garnered notice for coverage such as a article skeptical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an analysis of some images used by established media to illustrate famine in Gaza.

Prominent writers include scholar Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.

Vision for CBS

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

"We are convinced the greater part of the country longs for news that is even-handed and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.

More Change at CBS

Terms of the agreement were not revealed. Paramount would not address accounts that the company had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

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

He has said his aim is to produce journalism that is less partisan, and therefore has the potential to engage all viewers.

His takeover of Paramount was approved by government authorities this summer, after the company consented to pay $16 million to conclude a court case.

To obtain consent of the deal, Mr Ellison pledged to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to examine allegations of bias and committed to oversight bodies that programming would include a range of view points.

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

Partnership Details

CBS News has a working relationship with another major network, meaning news content including video footage can be exchanged.

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

"They are making significant investments because they have faith in news. Because they have courage. Because they cherish this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot succeed without mutual understanding, common truths, and a unified worldview," she commented.