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The media conglomerate has named former New York Times opinion writer Bari Weiss to oversee CBS News, signaling the newest step by current leadership to reshape activities of a major US news organisations.

Paramount is additionally purchasing The Free Press, the web-based platform Weiss founded after her contentious separation from the New York Times, in a deal estimated to be worth $150 million.

Ms Weiss, who has questioned television news for becoming excessively biased, said she was enthusiastic to put her stamp on CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison in recent months as part of a broader merger with Paramount.

History of the Executive

Ms Weiss, who commenced her work at Jewish publications, is known for her advocacy of Israel and her skepticism of "cancel culture".

From its inception 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 articles such as a feature skeptical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an investigation of some photographs used by mainstream news outlets to showcase famine in Gaza.

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

Vision for CBS

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

"We think the bulk of the country desires news that is even-handed and accurate, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.

Further Developments at CBS

Terms of the arrangement were not made public. Paramount refused to discuss reports that the corporation had paid $150 million in stock and cash.

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

He has said his aim is to produce journalism that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the potential to engage all demographics.

His purchase of Paramount was cleared by oversight bodies this summer, after the company consented to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit.

To obtain consent of the transaction, Mr Ellison agreed to create an impartial arbitrator at CBS to examine concerns of bias and committed to oversight bodies that programming would showcase a variety of view points.

He further said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would no longer air altered conversations.

Partnership Details

CBS News has a partnership agreement with an international broadcaster, meaning news content including visual material can be distributed.

In a statement declaring the agreement, Ms Weiss said she had faith in the Paramount boss and his leadership team.

"They are doubling down because they believe in news. Because they have bravery. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot thrive without common facts, universal realities, and a common reality," she commented.