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Paramount has named former New York Times opinion writer Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, signaling the latest step by current leadership to restructure workings of one of America's leading news outlets.

Paramount is also buying The Free Press, the online publication Weiss established after her acrimonious separation from the New York Times, in a deal estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has challenged broadcast media for becoming overly political, said she was enthusiastic to shape CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Profile of the New Leader

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish media organizations, is noted for her support of Israel and her skepticism of "call-out culture".

Since its start as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million readers, including over 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has garnered notice for reports such as a article skeptical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an investigation of some photos used by mainstream news outlets to depict famine in Gaza.

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

Vision for CBS

Mr Ellison said the hiring of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a bigger initiative to refresh content at Paramount and make CBS the "most reliable name in news".

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

Additional Shifts at CBS

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

Mr Ellison built his career as a Hollywood film producer of blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his goal is to produce coverage that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to engage all demographics.

His purchase of Paramount was approved by regulators this summer, after the company consented to pay $16 million to settle a court case.

To secure clearance of the acquisition, Mr Ellison committed to create an independent ombudsman at CBS to review allegations of bias and vowed to oversight bodies that content would showcase a diversity of opinions.

He also said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air modified discussions.

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a partnership agreement with a global news organization, meaning news reporting including visual material can be shared.

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

"They are committing fully because they believe in news. Because they have courage. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot succeed without mutual understanding, common truths, and a shared perspective," she commented.