The impending acquisition of CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, by David Ellison’s media company, Paramount Skydance, in a deal valued at $111 billion, has raised significant concerns among CNN staffers. Many fear that the perceived Trump-friendly ownership of Paramount Skydance will steer CNN’s coverage toward a more conservative ideological bent, potentially transforming it into a “Fox News 2.0.” These anxieties stem from Ellison’s previous move to install Free Press founder Bari Weiss as head of CBS News, which reportedly led to disruption within the ranks there.

Bari Weiss, known for her criticism of “woke” news coverage in many mainstream outlets, is anticipated to have a role in overseeing CNN once the Paramount-WBD deal officially closes. Her track record at CBS News, where she took the reins of editorial operations, has been characterized by several management gaffes, causing discord and dysfunction within the news division, as reported by Variety. This internal turmoil has even impacted “60 Minutes,” a prominent program within the Paramount portfolio, with staffers publicly complaining about concerns tied to stories needing to meet a preconceived slant. A notable sign of dissatisfaction with current leadership was Anderson Cooper’s decision to leave “60 Minutes” after two decades as a correspondent.

Addressing these concerns, David Ellison, Paramount Skydance CEO, stated in a CNBC “Squawk Box” interview that CNN will remain an editorially independent news organization. When directly questioned by anchor David Faber about the perception or fear that CNN might become “more beholden to the Trump administration” following changes at CBS News, Ellison firmly responded, “editorial independence will absolutely be maintained. It’s maintained at CBS. It’ll be maintained at CNN.” He emphasized a commitment to being “in the truth business” and “in the trust business,” aiming to speak to the 70% of Americans, and global audiences, who identify as center-left or center-right. Ellison further expressed belief in CNN as an “incredible brand with an incredible team” and a commitment to supporting the independence of its journalists.

Beyond editorial focus, Paramount Skydance's strategy for CNN will involve significant investment in expanding its availability via streaming. Ellison articulated a vision where consumers have the choice to watch their news brands on broadcast, cable, or streaming, aiming to “meet consumers where they are.” He believes this transaction will be a positive for both CBS News and CNN, signifying an investment in the news business. CNN already offers a streaming subscription product, All Access, launched last fall. This move follows the ill-fated CNN+ streaming service, which was shut down less than a month after its 2022 launch, shortly after Discovery completed its acquisition of WarnerMedia from AT&T.

Despite Ellison’s public assurances, his comments may not fully reassure CNN staffers given the complexities surrounding Bari Weiss’s influence. Weiss, whose Free Press was reportedly sold to Paramount for $150 million, has articulated a plan at CBS News to focus more heavily on digital audiences, even though the network’s traditional TV properties continue to generate more advertising revenue. The ongoing discord and perceived imposition of slants at CBS News under her leadership underscore the basis for CNN employees' anxieties regarding their network's future editorial direction.