Christiane Amanpour Raises Concerns Ahead of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery Merger
Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international anchor and one of its most prominent voices, has expressed apprehension regarding the impending acquisition of CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros Discovery, by Paramount Skydance, which also owns CBS News.
Speaking at the Truth Tellers summit, held in honor of the late English journalism pioneer Sir Harry Evans, Amanpour addressed her concerns about the corporate changes underway. She stated:
“Clearly I’m concerned, and I’m not sure how much I’m allowed to say about a corporate thing that’s underway, but I am obviously, as a person, as a journalist with a record, concerned, and I’m concerned based on what’s happened to the other things that [Paramount Skydance chief executive, David Ellison, has] taken over already, like CBS News.”
Amanpour referenced the developments at CBS News since it came under Skydance’s control last summer, including reports of significant changes to the long-running Sunday program, 60 Minutes.
“I mean, do I have to list what’s happening there? I mean, hemorrhaging viewers, probably hemorrhaging money. This ideological realignment of CBS and the destruction, potentially of 60 Minutes. … I mean, nobody can match 60 Minutes for a brilliant television magazine show that’s been doing hard news and cultural news for decades – top rated, top money-maker for the network. So clearly, obviously, I’m concerned. I would like to think that we would have the very basic, which is editorial independence. I’m hoping for that. I know many of us at are incredibly –including leadership – are very, very committed to that, clearly. And I don’t think I need to say more than that.”
A spokesperson for Paramount Skydance declined to comment on Amanpour’s remarks.
Last week, Sharyn Alfonsi, a longtime 60 Minutes correspondent, departed CBS News.
There has been speculation about a potential merger of the two networks following Paramount Skydance’s emergence as the likely winning bidder to acquire Warner Bros Discovery in late February.
David Ellison has not detailed a specific strategy for CNN but has publicly emphasized his commitment to editorial independence.
However, Ellison’s father, tech billionaire Larry Ellison, has reportedly discussed making changes at CNN, including the possible removal of certain CNN hosts whom he reportedly dislikes.
Addressing the broader challenges facing journalism, Amanpour remarked on the attitude of some Western leaders toward the press, seemingly referencing the Trump administration:
“The leaders in the west think that journalists should simply be sycophants and megaphones and bolster them, and they do not like when we actually report the truth.”
“The President is accountable to the people through us,” Amanpour added. “That’s our job, the fourth estate. Period. End of story.”
Legal Pressures on Journalism Highlighted by Wall Street Journal Editor
During the same discussion, Emma Tucker, editor of the Wall Street Journal, commented on the increasing legal challenges faced by journalists.
“Increasingly it is the case that before you even get to publication, lawsuits come raining down on you – a whole torrent of legal letters come your way,” she said.
