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The media conglomerate has selected ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, marking the latest step by recent acquirers to restructure workings of a major US news organisations.

Paramount is also purchasing The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss started after her acrimonious exit from the New York Times, in a arrangement reported to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned broadcast media for becoming overly political, said she was enthusiastic to put her stamp on CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison in recent months as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Profile 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".

Since its start as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 paid subscribers.

It has garnered notice for coverage such as a feature skeptical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an analysis of some photos used by mainstream news outlets to showcase famine in Gaza.

Prominent authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.

Future Direction

Mr Ellison said the selection 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 are convinced the greater part of the country longs for news that is even-handed and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

Additional Shifts at CBS

Terms of the deal were not revealed. Paramount declined to comment reports that the firm had paid $150 million in shares and money.

Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood cinematic creator of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his objective is to produce journalism that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to connect with all demographics.

His takeover of Paramount was cleared by government authorities this season, after the company committed to pay $16 million to conclude a lawsuit.

To win approval of the transaction, Mr Ellison agreed to create an independent ombudsman at CBS to examine concerns of partiality and committed to oversight bodies that content would include a variety of view points.

He additionally said CBS's established political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air edited interviews.

Alliance Facts

CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news reporting including video footage can be exchanged.

In a statement revealing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount executive and his leadership team.

"They are making significant investments because they believe in news. Because they have conviction. Because they value this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot thrive without mutual understanding, agreed principles, and a common reality," she commented.