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The media conglomerate has selected ex- New York Times opinion writer Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, representing the most recent initiative by recent acquirers to restructure activities of one of America's leading news organisations.

Paramount is additionally buying The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss founded after her acrimonious exit from the New York Times, in a agreement reported to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming overly political, said she was eager to shape CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison in recent months as part of a broader merger with Paramount.

History of the New Leader

Ms Weiss, who started her career at Jewish news outlets, is recognized for her advocacy of Israel and her skepticism of "woke culture".

Beginning as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million followers, including over 170,000 paying members.

It has drawn attention for coverage such as a feature skeptical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an analysis of some photographs used by traditional journalism to illustrate famine in Gaza.

Big name authors include academic Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Vision for CBS

Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a larger effort to modernize coverage at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".

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

More Change at CBS

Details of the deal 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 film producer of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his aim is to produce reporting that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the capacity to engage all audiences.

His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by oversight bodies this recent period, after the company consented to pay $16 million to conclude a court case.

To obtain consent of the acquisition, Mr Ellison pledged to establish an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess allegations of partiality and committed to oversight bodies that programming would include a variety of opinions.

He additionally said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air modified discussions.

Alliance Facts

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

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

"They are making significant investments because they support news. Because they have conviction. Because they love this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot succeed without shared information, universal realities, and a unified worldview," she wrote.