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The media conglomerate has selected former NYT columnist Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, representing the newest step by new owners to restructure activities of a major US news outlets.

Paramount is additionally acquiring The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss started after her contentious separation from the New York Times, in a agreement estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has criticised network journalism for becoming overly political, said she was enthusiastic to put her stamp on CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a broader merger with Paramount.

History of the New Leader

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish publications, is noted for her advocacy of Israel and her criticism of "woke culture".

Beginning as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 subscribing supporters.

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

Prominent contributors include historian Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a larger campaign to update content at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news".

"We are convinced the bulk of the country desires news that is fair and accurate, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

Additional Shifts at CBS

Specifics of the arrangement were not made public. Paramount refused to discuss accounts that the firm had paid $150 million in shares and money.

Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood cinematic creator of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his aim is to produce journalism that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to engage all viewers.

His purchase of Paramount was approved by regulators this recent period, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to resolve a court case.

To obtain consent of the acquisition, Mr Ellison committed to establish an independent ombudsman at CBS to review complaints of bias and promised to regulators that coverage would reflect a variety of view points.

He additionally said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air altered conversations.

Partnership Details

CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with a global news organization, meaning news reporting including recorded segments can be exchanged.

In a message announcing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount leader and his executive staff.

"They are making significant investments because they support news. Because they have conviction. Because they value this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot succeed without mutual understanding, common truths, and a unified worldview," she wrote.