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Paramount has selected former NYT commentator Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, signaling the latest step by recent acquirers to restructure workings of one of America's leading news outlets.

Paramount is additionally acquiring The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss started after her disputed separation from the New York Times, in a arrangement estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned broadcast media for becoming too partisan, said she was excited to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison in recent months as part of a broader merger with Paramount.

Profile of the New Leader

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish media organizations, is noted for her advocacy of Israel and her criticism of "woke culture".

Beginning as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million readers, including in excess of 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has garnered notice for coverage such as a feature critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an analysis of some images used by established media to showcase famine in Gaza.

Prominent writers include historian Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

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

"We are convinced the majority of the country wants news that is fair and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Specifics of the deal were not revealed. Paramount would not address reports that the firm had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood movie maker of hit movies 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 purchase of Paramount was authorized by regulators this season, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to settle a court case.

To win approval of the deal, Mr Ellison pledged to establish an external reviewer at CBS to examine allegations of partiality and committed to authorities that programming would include a diversity of opinions.

He also said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.

Alliance Facts

CBS News has a working relationship with another major network, meaning news material including visual material can be distributed.

In a note announcing the deal, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount executive and his leadership team.

"They are committing fully because they have faith in news. Because they have conviction. Because they cherish this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot succeed without common facts, agreed principles, and a common reality," she wrote.