Paramount has named former New York Times opinion writer Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, in the latest move by new owners to reshape operations of one of America's leading news organizations.
Paramount is also buying The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss started after her acrimonious departure from the New York Times, in a deal reported to be worth $150 million (£112 million).
Ms. Weiss, who has criticized broadcast media for becoming too partisan, expressed enthusiasm for her new role at CBS News, taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a broader merger with Paramount.
The deal has drawn scrutiny on the left due to Mr. Ellison's familial ties to tech billionaire and Trump ally Larry Ellison.
Ms. Weiss, who began her career at Jewish news outlets, is known for her support of Israel and her opinions on cancel culture.
The Free Press, launched as a newsletter in 2021, has garnered 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 paid subscribers.
It has garnered attention for memorable reports, including a critical piece about NPR by former business editor Uri Berliner and an investigation into misleading photos used by mainstream media to depict famine in Gaza.
Big-name contributors to The Free Press include historian Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Mr. Ellison stated that Ms. Weiss's appointment as editor-in-chief was part of a comprehensive effort to modernize content at Paramount, aiming for CBS to become the 'most-trusted name in news.'
He emphasized, 'We believe the majority of the country longs for news that is balanced and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their home.'
Details of the acquisition were not disclosed, with Paramount choosing not to comment on the value of the reported $150 million deal.
Mr. Ellison is recognized for his Hollywood production work, including blockbusters like Top Gun: Maverick and World War Z.
His stated goal is to mitigate political bias in CBS coverage, aspiring to reach a wider audience.
The Trump administration approved his takeover of Paramount this summer, following a $16 million settlement related to a lawsuit by Trump concerning a 60 Minutes interview with his 2024 presidential rival, Kamala Harris.
To gain approval for the acquisition, Mr. Ellison committed to installing an independent ombudsman to address bias complaints and to assure regulators that programming would reflect a broad spectrum of viewpoints.
He also guaranteed that CBS's long-standing political program, "Face the Nation," will no longer air edited interviews.
CBS News has a collaborative agreement with the BBC, allowing for shared news content, including video footage, while maintaining editorial independence.
In her announcement about the new role, Ms. Weiss expressed her belief in the leadership team at Paramount.
'They are doubling down because they believe in news. Because they have courage. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot thrive without common facts, common truths, and a common reality,' she stated.
