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Paramount has selected former NYT commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the latest initiative by new owners to reorganize operations of a major US news outlets.

The company is also purchasing The Free Press, the online publication Weiss founded after her acrimonious exit from the New York Times, in a deal reported to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has criticised television news for becoming overly political, said she was excited to influence CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

History of the New Leader

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish news outlets, is known for her advocacy of Israel and her questioning of "call-out culture".

Since its start as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million followers, including in excess of 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has received recognition for coverage such as a piece critical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an investigation of some photos used by established media to showcase famine in Gaza.

Prominent writers include academic Niall Ferguson and financial expert Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

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

"We are convinced the bulk of the country desires news that is balanced and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

More Change at CBS

Details of the arrangement were not made public. Paramount refused to discuss stories 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 aim is to produce journalism that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to connect with all audiences.

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 win approval of the transaction, Mr Ellison committed to create an external reviewer at CBS to examine allegations of partiality and vowed to regulators that programming would include a diversity of perspectives.

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

Alliance Facts

CBS News has a partnership agreement with another major network, meaning news content including recorded segments can be shared.

In a note revealing the deal, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount leader and his management group.

"They are making significant investments because they believe in news. Because they have courage. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot prosper without shared information, universal realities, and a shared perspective," she wrote.