CNN Reportedly Acquired by MAGA Ally
A media report claims that CNN has been acquired by a prominent figure aligned with the MAGA movement. The same report suggests the new owner is also making significant changes, described as "gutting," at CBS. The development has reportedly sparked a fight over the future of the free press and editorial independence in the U.S.
The winning bid for CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, came from Paramount Skydance. This entity was formed after Skydance Media, led by David Ellison, acquired Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS. The deal reportedly beat out a competing offer from Netflix. The Ellison family, which controls Paramount Skydance, is led by billionaire Larry Ellison, who has been described as an ally of Donald Trump. There have been reports of discussions between Larry Ellison and White House officials regarding potential programming changes at CNN, including the possible removal of hosts disliked by the former president. Changes have already been underway at CBS News, which is also owned by Paramount. The company appointed Bari Weiss, known for her "anti-woke" views, as the editor-in-chief of the news division. This move, along with significant layoffs, has been characterized by some longtime journalists as a "gutting" of the network. The acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance is part of a larger trend of media consolidation. The merger has prompted widespread discussion about the future of editorial independence and the potential for increased ideological alignment in mainstream news coverage.
