Mon Oct 06 15:34:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text:

**Paramount Names Bari Weiss, Known for Pro-Israel Stance and Anti-“Woke” Views, as CBS News Editor-in-Chief**

NEW YORK, NY – Media conglomerate Paramount has announced the acquisition of the commentary website Free Press and appointed its founder, Bari Weiss, as the editor-in-chief of CBS News. The move, which places a figure known for her pro-Israel positions and criticism of “woke” politics at the helm of the news division, is generating considerable controversy, given the current state of the US media landscape.

Paramount CEO David Ellison lauded Weiss’s “entrepreneurial drive and editorial vision” as he announced the appointment, emphasizing the company’s goal to “modernize content.” The decision follows Paramount’s recent merger with Skydance Media, a move that included promises to the U.S. government to increase “viewpoint diversity” at CBS.

Critics argue that the appointment reflects an effort to steer CBS in a more conservative direction, particularly aligned with the policies of the Trump administration. The timing is notable, as Paramount recently settled a defamation lawsuit brought by Donald Trump over a segment on 60 Minutes, a settlement widely criticized as an attempt to pressure news outlets.

Weiss, who founded The Free Press in 2022 after leaving The New York Times citing a hostile work environment, has positioned herself as an independent voice challenging mainstream media narratives. Her publication has tackled issues like DEI programs and vaccine skepticism, often echoing themes prominent in the Trump administration. However, the Free Press has also taken stances critical of mainstream Republicans, particularly on abortion rights.

The Free Press has faced scrutiny for its coverage of the conflict in Gaza, including an article that disputed the severity of the humanitarian crisis, raising questions about potential bias. Weiss will report directly to David Ellison, the son of tech mogul and Trump ally Larry Ellison.

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