Staffers at CNN are reportedly experiencing a sense of fear and apprehension over the network’s potential acquisition by the more conservative Paramount-Skydance under a proposed new deal. The left-leaning network could soon undergo changes similar to those seen at CBS News, with Republican billionaire David Ellison poised to become the new owner if Warner Bros. Discovery decides to sell its assets.
Paramount and Netflix engaged in a bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery, with Paramount ultimately submitting a “superior” revised bid that led Netflix to bow out of negotiations on February 26. As CNN is currently owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, employees are said to be “devastated” by the looming prospect of a sale, according to insiders.
CNN President Mark Thompson addressed employees in a memo regarding the potential sale to Paramount, urging them not to jump to conclusions about the future until more information is available. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the network’s ownership, Thompson emphasized the importance of delivering high-quality journalism to their global audience.
In recent years, CNN has experienced a significant decline in ratings, losing 40 percent of its viewers since 2017. The network’s content has also shifted noticeably to the left, resulting in a decline in viewership. Former President Donald Trump has been openly critical of CNN, often referring to the network as “fake news” and refusing to take questions from certain reporters.
If David Ellison acquires CNN, there is speculation that the network’s anti-Trump stance could potentially shift. Ellison previously enlisted Bari Weiss to lead a transformation at CBS News, aiming to move the network towards more balanced reporting by removing elements of “woke” culture. This shift led to resignations among liberal talent at CBS News, with anchors like John Dickinson and Maurice DuBois choosing to leave the network.
Weiss’s leadership at CBS News signaled a move towards a more moderate and objective approach to news reporting. She emphasized the importance of unbiased journalism and encouraged staff members whose political views interfered with their reporting to consider alternative career paths. As CNN faces potential changes under new ownership, employees are left uncertain about the future direction of the network.
