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Paramount has named former New York Times opinion writer Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, representing the most recent step by recent acquirers to restructure workings of a major US news organisations.

Paramount is additionally buying The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss founded after her contentious departure 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 influence CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a broader merger with Paramount.

Background of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish publications, is recognized for her advocacy of Israel and her skepticism of "call-out culture".

Beginning as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million readers, including over 170,000 paid subscribers.

It has received recognition for coverage such as a piece questioning of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an examination of some photographs used by established media to depict famine in Gaza.

Prominent authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Future Direction

Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a broader effort to update content at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".

"We believe the bulk of the country longs for news that is fair and accurate, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Specifics of the agreement were not disclosed. Paramount refused to discuss reports that the company had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

Mr Ellison built his career 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 reporting that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to reach all viewers.

His purchase of Paramount was cleared by regulators this summer, after the company consented to pay $16 million to conclude a legal action.

To obtain consent of the deal, Mr Ellison committed to establish an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess complaints of prejudice and committed to authorities that programming would showcase a variety of view points.

He additionally said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air edited interviews.

Partnership Details

CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with a global news organization, meaning news material including visual material can be distributed.

In a message revealing the deal, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount leader and his management group.

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