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The media conglomerate has appointed ex- NYT opinion writer Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, marking the most recent move by current leadership to reorganize workings of a prominent American news networks.

The company is also buying The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss founded after her contentious separation from the New York Times, in a agreement said to be worth $150 million.

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

Background of the New Leader

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish publications, is noted for her support of Israel and her skepticism of "call-out culture".

Beginning as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 paid subscribers.

It has drawn attention for coverage such as a article questioning of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an examination of some images used by traditional journalism to showcase famine in Gaza.

Prominent contributors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Future Direction

Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a larger initiative to refresh content at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".

"We believe the majority of the country desires news that is balanced and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Details of the agreement were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment accounts that the corporation had paid $150 million in shares and money.

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 journalism that is less partisan, and therefore has the potential to engage all audiences.

His purchase of Paramount was cleared by government authorities this season, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit.

To secure clearance of the acquisition, Mr Ellison committed to install an impartial arbitrator at CBS to examine concerns of prejudice and vowed to regulators that coverage would showcase a range of perspectives.

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

Collaboration Information

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

In a message revealing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount executive and his management group.

"They are committing fully because they have faith in news. Because they have bravery. Because they cherish this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot prosper without common facts, agreed principles, and a shared perspective," she commented.