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The media conglomerate has selected former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, representing the latest move by current leadership to reshape activities of one of America's leading news outlets.

Paramount is additionally buying The Free Press, the online publication Weiss founded after her acrimonious exit from the New York Times, in a deal said to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned broadcast media for becoming excessively biased, said she was eager to shape CBS, which was purchased by David Ellison recently as part of a larger merger with Paramount.

Profile of the Appointee

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish news outlets, is noted for her backing of Israel and her criticism of "call-out culture".

Since its start as a digital bulletin in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million readers, including over 170,000 paid subscribers.

It has received recognition for coverage such as a feature questioning of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an investigation of some photos used by mainstream news outlets to illustrate famine in Gaza.

Notable contributors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Vision for CBS

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

"We believe the bulk of the country longs for news that is balanced and accurate, and we want CBS to be their home," he said.

More Change at CBS

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Paramount declined to comment stories that the firm had paid $150 million in equity and currency.

Mr Ellison made his name as a Hollywood cinematic creator of hit movies such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.

He has said his aim is to produce reporting that is less partisan, and therefore has the capacity to connect with all viewers.

His purchase of Paramount was authorized by regulators this summer, after the company agreed to pay $16 million to resolve a lawsuit.

To win approval of the transaction, Mr Ellison agreed to install an impartial arbitrator at CBS to examine concerns of bias and promised to authorities that coverage would reflect a range of perspectives.

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

Collaboration Information

CBS News has a partnership agreement with a global news organization, meaning news reporting including video footage can be exchanged.

In a message revealing the arrangement, Ms Weiss said she trusted in the Paramount executive and his management group.

"They are doubling down because they support news. Because they have bravery. Because they value this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot thrive without shared information, common truths, and a common reality," she wrote.