Mon, 06 Oct 2025

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 Ex-New York Times writer to lead CBS after Paramount deal

A former NYT opinion editor-turned media start-up owner Bari Weiss has been named as the next boss of CBS News after the TV channel was bought by Paramount

* Bari Weiss, a former New York Times opinion writer, has been named by Paramount to lead CBS News.
* Paramount is also acquiring The Free Press, a digital outlet started by Weiss after her departure from the New York Times, in a deal reportedly worth $150m.
* Weiss will put her stamp on CBS News, which was taken over by David Ellison earlier this year as part of a merger with Paramount.
* The move has drawn scrutiny on the left due to Ellison's ties to tech billionaire and Trump ally Larry Ellison.
* Weiss is known for supporting Israel, criticizing "cancel culture", and attracting 1.5 million subscribers to The Free Press since its launch in 2021.
* CBS News will aim to be "the most-trusted name in news" under Weiss' leadership, with a focus on balanced and fact-based reporting.
* Ellison's takeover of Paramount was approved by the Trump administration this summer, despite concerns over bias and diversity of viewpoints.
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