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The media conglomerate has appointed ex- New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, signaling the newest initiative by current leadership to reorganize operations of a prominent American news networks.

The company is additionally acquiring The Free Press, the online publication Weiss founded after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a agreement reported to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming too partisan, said she was eager to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

History of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish news outlets, is known for her backing of Israel and her criticism of "call-out culture".

Since its start as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million followers, including in excess of 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has garnered notice for articles such as a feature skeptical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an investigation of some photographs used by mainstream news outlets to depict famine in Gaza.

Notable authors include academic Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Vision for CBS

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

"We are convinced the bulk of the country wants news that is balanced and truthful, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Specifics of the agreement were not made public. Paramount would not address stories that the firm had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

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 reporting that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to engage all viewers.

His purchase of Paramount was approved by oversight bodies this summer, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to resolve a legal action.

To obtain consent of the acquisition, Mr Ellison pledged to create an external reviewer at CBS to review allegations of prejudice and committed to oversight bodies that content would showcase a diversity of opinions.

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

Partnership Details

CBS News has a partnership agreement with a global news organization, meaning news reporting including recorded segments can be distributed.

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

"They are committing fully because they have faith in news. Because they have conviction. Because they value this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot thrive without shared information, common truths, and a shared perspective," she stated.