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 $150m (£112m).
Weiss, who has criticized broadcast media for becoming too partisan, stated she was excited to put her stamp on CBS, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a larger merger with Paramount.
The deal has drawn scrutiny on the left, given that Mr. Ellison is the son of tech billionaire and Trump ally Larry Ellison.
Weiss, who started her career working at Jewish news outlets, is known for her support of Israel and her criticism of 'cancel culture'. Since its inception as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million subscribers, including more than 170,000 paid.
Big name contributors include historian Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Ellison said Weiss’s appointment is part of a larger effort to modernize content at Paramount and to make CBS the 'most-trusted name in news'.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, and Paramount has declined to comment on the reported $150m payment.
Ellison, known for producing blockbusters such as Top Gun Maverick, has emphasized the need for coverage that is less politically skewed.
To gain approval for the deal, Mr. Ellison reportedly agreed to install an independent ombudsman at CBS to review complaints of biases and committed to ensuring programming reflected a diversity of viewpoints.
CBS News has an existing partnership with the BBC, allowing the shared use of news content.
In a statement announcing her new role, Weiss expressed confidence in the Paramount leadership, stating: 'They are doubling down because they believe in news... and understand that America cannot thrive without common facts, common truths, and a common reality.'
