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Paramount has selected ex- NYT opinion writer Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, signaling the most recent step by current leadership to restructure workings of one of America's leading news outlets.

Paramount is also buying The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss established after her disputed separation from the New York Times, in a agreement estimated to be worth $150 million.

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

History of the Appointee

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

Since its start as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million followers, including more than 170,000 paying members.

It has garnered notice for articles such as a piece questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an examination of some photos used by established media to illustrate famine in Gaza.

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

Vision for CBS

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

"We believe the bulk of the country wants news that is fair and truthful, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

More Change at CBS

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

Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood film producer of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his goal is to produce journalism that is less partisan, and therefore has the potential to reach all demographics.

His takeover of Paramount was authorized by regulators this summer, after the company consented to pay $16 million to settle a legal action.

To secure clearance of the deal, Mr Ellison committed to install an impartial arbitrator at CBS to assess allegations of partiality and vowed to oversight bodies that content would showcase a diversity of opinions.

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

Partnership Details

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

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

"They are committing fully because they support news. Because they have conviction. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot prosper without mutual understanding, common truths, and a unified worldview," she wrote.