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Paramount has selected former New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to direct CBS News, signaling the newest initiative by new owners to reorganize workings of a prominent American news outlets.

Paramount is also buying The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss established after her disputed departure from the New York Times, in a arrangement estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was enthusiastic to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison in recent months as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Background of the Appointee

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

Beginning as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has accumulated 1.5 million readers, including in excess of 170,000 paying members.

It has drawn attention for reports such as a feature skeptical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an analysis of some photographs used by established media to illustrate famine in Gaza.

Big name authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

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

"We believe the majority of the country wants news that is fair and accurate, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

More Change at CBS

Terms of the arrangement were not revealed. Paramount would not address reports that the firm had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood cinematic creator 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 partisan, and therefore has the capacity to engage all demographics.

His acquisition of Paramount was approved by regulators this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to resolve a legal action.

To secure clearance of the transaction, Mr Ellison committed to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to examine allegations of bias and vowed to regulators that content would showcase a variety of view points.

He additionally said CBS's long-running political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air modified discussions.

Alliance Facts

CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with another major network, meaning news material including recorded segments can be shared.

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

"They are doubling down because they support news. Because they have conviction. Because they cherish this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot succeed without common facts, agreed principles, and a unified worldview," she commented.