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The media conglomerate has appointed former New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, signaling the newest step by current leadership to reshape workings of a prominent American news organisations.

The company is furthermore buying The Free Press, the online publication Weiss started after her disputed departure from the New York Times, in a deal said to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has challenged television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was eager to put her stamp on CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a wider merger with Paramount.

History of the Appointee

Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish news outlets, is recognized for her support of Israel and her questioning of "woke culture".

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

It has drawn attention for articles such as a article skeptical of NPR by one of its former business editors, as well as an examination of some photographs used by traditional journalism to depict famine in Gaza.

Prominent authors include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.

Future Direction

Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as top editorial position was part of a bigger effort to modernize content at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".

"We think the majority of the country longs for news that is balanced and fact-based, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Specifics of the deal were not revealed. Paramount declined to comment stories that the corporation 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 goal is to produce journalism that is more balanced politically, and therefore has the potential to engage all viewers.

His acquisition of Paramount was authorized by regulators this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit.

To win approval of the acquisition, Mr Ellison committed to install an external reviewer at CBS to examine concerns of bias and vowed to oversight bodies that content would showcase a diversity of view points.

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

Alliance Facts

CBS News has a working relationship with a global news organization, meaning news content including visual material can be shared.

In a note declaring the deal, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount executive and his management group.

"They are committing fully because they support news. Because they have conviction. Because they love this country. And because they appreciate, as we do, that America cannot thrive without mutual understanding, common truths, and a shared perspective," she stated.