Paramount has announced the appointment of Bari Weiss, a former New York Times opinion writer, as the new head of CBS News. This move is part of a broader strategy by Paramount’s new owners to revitalize one of America’s most prominent news organizations. In addition to this leadership change, Paramount is acquiring The Free Press, a digital media outlet founded by Weiss after her contentious exit from the New York Times. The acquisition is reportedly valued at $150 million (£112 million). Weiss, known for her critiques of partisan broadcast media, expressed enthusiasm about shaping CBS News under the leadership of David Ellison, who took over the network earlier this year as part of a merger with Paramount. Ellison, the son of tech billionaire and Trump ally Larry Ellison, has faced scrutiny from the left for his political connections. Weiss, who began her career in Jewish news outlets, is recognized for her support of Israel and her opposition to ‘cancel culture.’ Since its inception in 2021, The Free Press has amassed 1.5 million subscribers, including over 170,000 paid users, and has gained attention for its critical reporting on mainstream media. Ellison emphasized that Weiss’s appointment aligns with his vision to modernize Paramount’s content and establish CBS as the ‘most-trusted name in news.’ He aims to produce balanced, fact-based coverage that appeals to a broad audience. The deal’s financial terms remain undisclosed, though reports suggest Paramount paid $150 million in stock and cash. Ellison, a renowned Hollywood producer, has pledged to reduce political bias in CBS’s programming, including unedited interviews on ‘Face the Nation.’ CBS News maintains a partnership with the BBC, ensuring editorial independence while sharing content. In her announcement, Weiss praised Ellison’s commitment to journalism and his vision for a unified media landscape.