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Paramount has appointed former New York Times opinion writer Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the latest initiative by recent acquirers to reshape activities of one of America's leading news networks.

The company is furthermore buying The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss founded after her disputed departure from the New York Times, in a deal estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has criticised broadcast media for becoming overly political, said she was excited to put her stamp on CBS, which was purchased 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 publications, is known 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 in excess of 170,000 paying members.

It has garnered notice for reports such as a article questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an examination of some images used by mainstream news outlets to showcase famine in Gaza.

Big name authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

Mr Ellison said the selection of Ms Weiss as chief editor was part of a bigger campaign to modernize content 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 fact-based, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

More Change at CBS

Details of the agreement were not revealed. Paramount would not address reports that the company had paid $150 million in shares and money.

Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood film producer of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his objective is to produce reporting that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the capacity to engage all viewers.

His takeover of Paramount was authorized by government authorities this summer, after the company consented to pay $16 million to resolve a lawsuit.

To win approval of the deal, Mr Ellison committed to create an external reviewer at CBS to review concerns of prejudice and committed to regulators that content would include a variety of opinions.

He also said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would discontinue air altered conversations.

Partnership Details

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

In a statement declaring the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount leader and his leadership team.

"They are committing fully because they believe in news. Because they have bravery. Because they love this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot prosper without shared information, common truths, and a common reality," she wrote.