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Paramount has named ex- New York Times opinion writer Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, representing the newest step by current leadership to restructure operations of a major US news organisations.

The company is additionally acquiring The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss established after her acrimonious departure from the New York Times, in a deal reported to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news 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 began her professional journey at Jewish media organizations, is recognized for her backing of Israel and her skepticism of "call-out culture".

Beginning as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million readers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has received recognition for coverage such as a piece skeptical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an analysis of some images used by traditional journalism to showcase famine in Gaza.

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

Vision for CBS

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

"We are convinced the greater part of the country wants news that is balanced and truthful, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Details of the deal were not made public. Paramount refused to discuss stories that the company had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

Mr Ellison established his reputation 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 journalism that is less partisan, and therefore has the ability to engage all audiences.

His purchase of Paramount was cleared by government authorities this recent period, after the company consented to pay $16 million to settle a court case.

To secure clearance of the deal, Mr Ellison pledged to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to examine allegations of bias and promised to authorities that programming would reflect a variety of perspectives.

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

Collaboration Information

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

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

"They are making significant investments because they have faith in news. Because they have courage. Because they love this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot succeed without common facts, universal realities, and a unified worldview," she wrote.