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The media conglomerate has selected former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, marking the most recent initiative by current leadership to restructure workings of one of America's leading news networks.

The company is additionally acquiring The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss established after her disputed exit from the New York Times, in a agreement estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has criticised broadcast media for becoming overly political, said she was excited to put her stamp on CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison in recent months as part of a wider merger with Paramount.

History of the New Leader

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish news outlets, is known for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "woke culture".

From its inception as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 paying members.

It has drawn attention for coverage such as a piece critical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an examination of some photos used by established media to depict famine in Gaza.

Big name writers include historian Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Vision for CBS

Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a bigger campaign to update content at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".

"We believe the majority of the country wants news that is even-handed and accurate, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Terms of the arrangement were not revealed. Paramount declined to comment accounts that the company had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood movie maker of major films 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 ability to engage all audiences.

His purchase of Paramount was authorized by oversight bodies this recent period, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to settle a legal action.

To win approval of the acquisition, Mr Ellison committed to install an external reviewer at CBS to assess complaints of bias and vowed to oversight bodies that content would reflect a range of opinions.

He also said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air altered conversations.

Collaboration Information

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

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

"They are doubling down because they support news. Because they have courage. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot succeed without common facts, agreed principles, and a shared perspective," she stated.