Major Changes at CBS and CNN: Trump Allies Take Control
The landscape of TV news is shifting as CBS and CNN come under the influence of figures closely associated with former President Donald Trump. This development is raising concerns among journalists about potential impacts on editorial independence.
Recently, CNN’s week was marked by significant events. Journalists covering the White House were temporarily banned, including those from CNN, Politico, and MS NOW, due to dissatisfaction from former President Trump over their reporting. Although a court order eventually allowed them back, CNN faced another setback when it was prohibited from accompanying the president on Air Force One.
According to NPR’s media correspondent David Folkenflik, the control of CNN is transitioning due to Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount is led by David Ellison, a producer supported by his father Larry Ellison, Oracle’s co-founder and a notable Trump supporter. This takeover was initially challenged by a coalition of 12 Democratic attorneys general on antitrust grounds but was settled with certain concessions.
Concerns are mounting within CNN regarding potential pressures from the new ownership. Similar apprehensions are being observed at CBS News, which has been under the Ellisons’ control for over a year. Barry Weiss, the new editor in chief of CBS News, has faced scrutiny for perceived biases in editorial decisions favorable to Trump.
As part of the settlement, an editorial oversight board will be established for CNN within six months of the takeover. This board will include five experienced journalists, with no more than two from any single political party, aiming to ensure nonpartisan oversight. A similar board is to be implemented at CBS News.
The board’s role will be to adjudicate any disputes between CNN and its new corporate owners. However, the effectiveness and influence of this board are yet to be tested. The concept of such oversight within major American news outlets is unprecedented, prompting questions about its potential impact on journalistic integrity.
Folkenflik notes parallels with past instances, such as Rupert Murdoch’s takeovers of major publications, where oversight boards were eventually overridden. Although judicial enforcement of the settlement is possible, the idea of courts intervening in newsroom decisions is contentious.
The overarching concern is the influence of political alliances on journalistic content, particularly as CBS and CNN are now under the control of Trump allies. As political dynamics evolve, the future of these networks’ editorial policies remains uncertain.
For more detailed analysis, listen to the full discussion with NPR’s David Folkenflik here.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
