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Paramount has named former New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, marking the latest initiative by new owners to restructure activities of one of America's leading news networks.

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

Ms Weiss, who has questioned network journalism for becoming too partisan, said she was enthusiastic to influence CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison recently as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Background of the Appointee

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish media organizations, is known for her advocacy of Israel and her skepticism of "cancel culture".

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

It has received recognition for coverage such as a piece questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an investigation of some images used by traditional journalism to showcase famine in Gaza.

Prominent authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.

Future Direction

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

"We are convinced the greater part of the country desires news that is even-handed and accurate, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.

Additional Shifts at CBS

Specifics of the arrangement were not made public. Paramount declined to comment accounts that the corporation had paid $150 million in shares and money.

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 objective is to produce reporting that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the ability to engage all viewers.

His purchase of Paramount was authorized by government authorities this recent period, after the company consented to pay $16 million to settle a court case.

To win approval of the deal, Mr Ellison committed to establish an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess complaints of bias and promised to regulators that programming would showcase a diversity of view points.

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

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a working relationship with another major network, meaning news content including video footage can be exchanged.

In a statement revealing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount executive and his executive staff.

"They are committing fully because they have faith in news. Because they have courage. Because they love this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot thrive without mutual understanding, common truths, and a common reality," she stated.