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Paramount has selected ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, marking the most recent initiative by current leadership to restructure operations of one of America's leading news networks.

Paramount is additionally acquiring The Free Press, the online publication Weiss founded after her acrimonious separation from the New York Times, in a arrangement estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has challenged television news for becoming too partisan, said she was excited to shape CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison recently as part of a wider merger with Paramount.

History of the Appointee

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish news outlets, is noted for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "cancel culture".

Since its start as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million subscribers, including in excess of 170,000 paid subscribers.

It has received recognition for reports such as a feature critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an examination of some photos used by mainstream news outlets to illustrate famine in Gaza.

Big name writers include academic Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.

Vision for CBS

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

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

Additional Shifts at CBS

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

Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood film producer of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his objective is to produce coverage that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to engage all demographics.

His takeover of Paramount was approved by oversight bodies this recent period, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit.

To secure clearance of the acquisition, Mr Ellison pledged to establish an impartial arbitrator at CBS to examine concerns of bias and vowed to regulators that coverage would showcase a variety of perspectives.

He additionally said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air modified discussions.

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news reporting including recorded segments can be distributed.

In a message declaring the deal, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount leader and his executive staff.

"They are committing fully because they have faith in news. Because they have bravery. Because they love this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot prosper without shared information, universal realities, and a shared perspective," she wrote.