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The media conglomerate has appointed former NYT columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, representing the latest step by current leadership to reshape workings of one of America's leading news organisations.

The company is additionally purchasing The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss established after her acrimonious separation from the New York Times, in a arrangement estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has criticised broadcast media for becoming too partisan, said she was enthusiastic to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

History of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish publications, is noted for her advocacy of Israel and her skepticism of "cancel culture".

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

It has received recognition for articles such as a article questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an examination of some images used by mainstream news outlets to illustrate famine in Gaza.

Notable authors include academic Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

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

"We are convinced the bulk of the country wants news that is even-handed and truthful, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

More Change at CBS

Details of the deal were not made public. Paramount refused to discuss stories that the company had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

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

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

His acquisition of Paramount was cleared by oversight bodies this summer, after the company consented to pay $16 million to resolve a court case.

To obtain consent of the deal, Mr Ellison committed to create an independent ombudsman at CBS to examine allegations of prejudice and committed to oversight bodies that content would reflect a range of opinions.

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

Alliance Facts

CBS News has a working relationship with an international broadcaster, meaning news content including visual material can be shared.

In a message revealing the deal, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount executive and his executive staff.

"They are doubling down because they support news. Because they have conviction. Because they value this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot succeed without shared information, common truths, and a unified worldview," she stated.