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Paramount has named former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, marking the latest initiative by current leadership to reorganize workings of one of America's leading news outlets.

The company is furthermore buying The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss founded after her contentious departure from the New York Times, in a agreement estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has challenged network journalism for becoming too partisan, said she was eager to influence CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison in recent months as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Background of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish media organizations, is known for her support of Israel and her questioning of "cancel culture".

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

It has received recognition for articles such as a feature questioning of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an analysis of some photos used by established media to depict famine in Gaza.

Prominent contributors include scholar Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.

Future Direction

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

"We believe the greater part of the country longs for news that is even-handed and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Specifics of the deal were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment reports that the corporation had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

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

He has said his objective is to produce coverage that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the ability to reach all audiences.

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

To win approval of the acquisition, Mr Ellison agreed to establish an independent ombudsman at CBS to examine concerns of bias and vowed to regulators that programming would include a variety of view points.

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

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news content including recorded segments can be distributed.

In a statement announcing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount leader and his leadership team.

"They are committing fully because they have faith in news. Because they have conviction. Because they cherish this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot prosper without mutual understanding, universal realities, and a unified worldview," she wrote.