CNN Reportedly Acquired by MAGA Ally
A prominent ally of the "Make America Great Again" movement has reportedly acquired CNN, sparking a debate over journalistic independence and partisan ownership of major news outlets. The same individual is also reportedly taking steps to significantly restructure CBS. The development has raised concerns among press freedom advocates about potential editorial changes and the erosion of public trust in media.
The acquisition of CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, was won by Paramount Skydance, a company led by David Ellison, whose father is billionaire Trump ally Larry Ellison. The successful bid came after Paramount Skydance raised its offer for the media conglomerate to $31 per share, an offer Netflix chose not to match. This development follows a period of significant changes at CBS, which is also owned by Paramount. Under new leadership, CBS News has been undergoing a major restructuring, with plans for significant layoffs affecting up to 15% of its workforce as part of an effort to focus on "personality-driven journalism." Press freedom advocates have voiced strong opposition to the deal. The Freedom of the Press Foundation has raised concerns that the new ownership could compromise the editorial independence of CNN and other news entities within Warner Bros. Discovery. The successful acquisition has been viewed as a favorable outcome by some allies of the "Make America Great Again" movement. There have been reports of assurances made to these allies that CNN would undergo "sweeping changes" under the new leadership. In response to the acquisition news, the head of CNN, Mark Thompson, sent a memo to staff urging them not to jump to conclusions about the future of the network. Meanwhile, a global town hall for all Warner Bros. Discovery employees has been scheduled to address the merger.
