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The media conglomerate has selected ex- NYT commentator Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, signaling the latest move by new owners to restructure workings of a major US news outlets.

The company is furthermore buying The Free Press, the digital outlet Weiss established after her contentious separation from the New York Times, in a agreement said to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was eager to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over 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 news outlets, is recognized for her backing of Israel and her criticism of "call-out culture".

From its inception as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has gained 1.5 million followers, including more than 170,000 subscribing supporters.

It has drawn attention for coverage such as a feature critical of NPR by one of its previous business editors, as well as an investigation of some images used by traditional journalism to showcase famine in Gaza.

Prominent authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economic thinker Tyler Cowen.

Strategic Plans

Mr Ellison said the hiring 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 think the greater part of the country desires news that is balanced and accurate, and we want CBS to be their destination," he said.

More Change at CBS

Details of the arrangement were not made public. Paramount would not address stories that the corporation had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood movie maker 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 reach all viewers.

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

To secure clearance of the deal, Mr Ellison committed to create an independent ombudsman at CBS to assess allegations of prejudice and vowed to authorities that coverage would reflect a variety of view points.

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

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a working relationship with another major network, meaning news reporting including video footage can be distributed.

In a message declaring the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount leader and his management group.

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