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The media conglomerate has appointed former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, signaling the most recent step by new owners to reshape workings of a prominent American news outlets.

The company is furthermore acquiring The Free Press, the online publication Weiss started after her acrimonious departure from the New York Times, in a arrangement said to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has criticised network journalism for becoming excessively biased, said she was enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison in recent months as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Background of the Executive

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

From its inception as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million followers, including over 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has received recognition for reports such as a feature questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an analysis of some photographs used by established media to illustrate famine in Gaza.

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

Future Direction

Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a broader initiative to update content at Paramount and make CBS the "most credible name in news".

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

Additional Shifts at CBS

Details of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount refused to discuss accounts that the company had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood film producer of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his objective is to produce journalism that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to connect with all audiences.

His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by regulators this season, after the company committed to pay $16 million to settle a court case.

To win approval of the transaction, Mr Ellison agreed to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to assess allegations of partiality and vowed to regulators that programming would reflect a variety of perspectives.

He also said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air modified discussions.

Alliance Facts

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

In a statement revealing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount boss and his leadership team.

"They are making significant investments because they support news. Because they have courage. Because they love this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot succeed without mutual understanding, common truths, and a unified worldview," she wrote.