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The media conglomerate has selected ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, marking the most recent move by current leadership to reorganize operations of a major US news organisations.

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

Ms Weiss, who has criticised broadcast media for becoming overly political, said she was enthusiastic to influence CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison recently as part of a broader merger with Paramount.

Profile of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish news outlets, is noted for her support of Israel and her questioning of "cancel culture".

From its inception as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including in excess of 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has drawn attention for reports such as a article critical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an analysis of some photos used by established media to illustrate famine in Gaza.

Prominent contributors include academic Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.

Vision for CBS

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

"We think the bulk of the country longs for news that is even-handed and accurate, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.

Additional Shifts at CBS

Specifics of the deal were not revealed. Paramount would not address accounts that the firm had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

Mr Ellison built his career 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 journalism that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the potential to reach all viewers.

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

To obtain consent of the transaction, Mr Ellison committed to install an impartial arbitrator at CBS to assess concerns of partiality and promised to authorities that coverage would reflect a variety of opinions.

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

Partnership Details

CBS News has a partnership agreement with an international broadcaster, meaning news material including visual material can be exchanged.

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

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