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The media conglomerate has selected ex- NYT columnist Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, marking the newest move by recent acquirers to reorganize activities of a major US news networks.

The company is furthermore purchasing The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss established after her acrimonious exit from the New York Times, in a arrangement reported to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned broadcast media for becoming overly political, said she was excited to influence CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison in recent months as part of a wider merger with Paramount.

Profile of the Appointee

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish news outlets, is recognized for her backing of Israel and her questioning of "cancel culture".

Since its start as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million subscribers, including more than 170,000 paid subscribers.

It has garnered notice for articles such as a feature skeptical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an investigation of some images used by established media to depict famine in Gaza.

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

Future Direction

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

"We think the greater part of the country wants news that is fair and accurate, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

More Change at CBS

Specifics of the arrangement were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment accounts that the company had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood cinematic creator of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his aim is to produce coverage that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the potential to connect with all audiences.

His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by regulators this summer, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit.

To secure clearance of the deal, Mr Ellison pledged to establish an external reviewer at CBS to assess concerns of prejudice and promised to oversight bodies that coverage would include a diversity of view points.

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

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with another major network, meaning news material including video footage can be distributed.

In a note revealing the deal, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount executive and his management group.

"They are making significant investments because they believe in news. Because they have bravery. Because they value this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot thrive without shared information, universal realities, and a unified worldview," she stated.