Paramount has appointed former New York Times commentator Bari Weiss to lead CBS News, representing the newest initiative by recent acquirers to reshape operations of a major US news organisations.
Paramount is furthermore purchasing The Free Press, the online publication Weiss established after her acrimonious departure from the New York Times, in a agreement reported to be worth $150 million.
Ms Weiss, who has questioned network journalism for becoming too partisan, said she was eager to influence CBS, which was acquired by David Ellison recently as part of a larger merger with Paramount.
Ms Weiss, who began her professional journey at Jewish news outlets, is noted for her support of Israel and her skepticism of "call-out culture".
From its inception as a email publication in 2021, The Free Press has attracted 1.5 million readers, including over 170,000 paying members.
It has received recognition for coverage such as a feature critical of NPR by one of its ex- business editors, as well as an analysis of some photos used by established media to showcase famine in Gaza.
Big name writers include scholar Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen.
Mr Ellison said the appointment of Ms Weiss as editor-in-chief was part of a bigger initiative to update content at Paramount and make CBS the "most-trusted name in news".
"We think the majority of the country wants news that is fair and accurate, and we want CBS to be their source," he said.
Specifics of the arrangement were not made public. Paramount would not address reports that the company had paid $150 million in stock and cash.
Mr Ellison established his reputation as a Hollywood cinematic creator of major films such as Top Gun Maverick, True Grit and World War Z.
He has said his objective is to produce coverage that is less politically skewed, and therefore has the ability to reach all demographics.
His acquisition of Paramount was approved by regulators this recent period, after the company committed to pay $16 million to conclude a legal action.
To obtain consent of the deal, Mr Ellison pledged to create an independent ombudsman at CBS to review allegations of partiality and committed to authorities that coverage would showcase a variety of perspectives.
He additionally said CBS's veteran political show "Face the Nation" would cease to air edited interviews.
CBS News has a collaborative arrangement with an international broadcaster, meaning news content including visual material can be distributed.
In a message revealing the agreement, Ms Weiss said she believed in the Paramount boss and his executive staff.
"They are committing fully because they support news. Because they have bravery. Because they cherish this country. And because they recognize, as we do, that America cannot prosper without mutual understanding, universal realities, and a common reality," she wrote.
