Former CBS Evening News anchor Connie Chung has recently criticized the “greedy owners” of her former network, CBS, for its rightward shift in recent months. During an episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out, Chung described CBS as a “whole different organization” from when she worked there. She specifically called out Shari Redstone, who sold her majority stake in parent company Paramount Global to David Ellison’s Skydance Media in an $8.4 billion deal over the summer. Chung expressed her concern over the network’s direction, stating that “their greed has caused the venerable CBS to actually disassemble, to crash into crumbles.”
Chung also addressed the appointment of conservative journalist Bari Weiss as the new editor-in-chief of CBS News, expressing uncertainty about Weiss’s role. She mentioned her inability to watch CBS now, lamenting the shift in news reporting and the lack of reliable information available to the public.
Chung’s criticism is part of a growing trend of discontent with CBS and its leadership. Following Paramount’s $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump over a lawsuit against “60 Minutes,” critics have accused the company of making a “big fat bribe” to the former president. This settlement, seen as frivolous by many, raised concerns about the network’s integrity and independence.
Chung highlighted the contrast between CBS’s current leadership and its historical commitment to journalistic integrity. She referenced late CBS owner William S. Paley’s emphasis on an autonomous news division that prioritized reporting over financial concerns. Chung also mentioned Frank Stanton, a former CBS president, who advocated for the importance of defending the Fourth Estate before Congress.
In conclusion, Chung criticized the current state of journalism at CBS, emphasizing the need for reporters to act as watchdogs of government and uphold their responsibility to report unbiased information. The shift in CBS’s direction has raised concerns about the network’s commitment to journalistic integrity and public service.
