Latest news with #CBS-owner
The Verge
4 days ago
- Business
- The Verge
Paramount-Skydance merger approved after companies agree to government speech demands
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Skydance's $8 billion purchase of CBS-owner Paramount after the companies agreed to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs but feature a 'diversity of viewpoints from across the political and ideological spectrum.' In light of the Trump administration's critiques of CBS's alleged anti-conservative bias — including collecting a $16 million settlement over the president's lawsuit over an allegedly deceptively edited video of then-Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris on 60 Minutes — the companies' commitment to address bias in the lawsuit likely means featuring more conservative programming. Skydance agreed to employ an ombudsman for at least two years, 'who will receive and evaluate any complaints of bias or other concerns involving CBS.' 'Americans no longer trust the legacy national news media to report fully, accurately, and fairly. It is time for a change,' Republican FCC Chair Brendan Carr said in a statement announcing the agency's approval. 'That is why I welcome Skydance's commitment to make significant changes at the once storied CBS broadcast network.' He said the commitments 'would enable CBS to operate in the public interest and focus on fair, unbiased, and fact-based coverage,' and mark 'another step forward in the FCC's efforts to eliminate invidious forms of DEI discrimination.' Carr also boasts that Skydance 'reaffirms its commitment to localism as a core component of the public interest standard,' and that the approval will 'unleash the investment of $1.5 billion into Paramount.' Carr has made no secret of his distaste for news coverage he sees as disproportionately unfavorable to the right and DEI policies he believes contribute to unfair treatment. He's opened investigations into all three major networks as well as NPR and PBS (NBCUniversal and its owner Comcast are investors in The Verge parent company Vox Media). A week ago, CBS announced it was retiring The Late Show, hosted by Trump critic and comedian Stephen Colbert. The network said it was 'purely a financial decision.' The FCC's only remaining Democratic commissioner, Anna Gomez, dissented, writing that, 'In an unprecedented move, this once-independent FCC used its vast power to pressure Paramount to broker a private legal settlement and further erode press freedom … Even more alarming, it is now imposing never-before-seen controls over newsroom decisions and editorial judgment, in direct violation of the First Amendment and the law.' Still, she gave Carr credit for calling a vote on the matter, rather than rubber-stamping the merger through one of the agency's bureaus, like it did for the Verizon-Frontier merger, which similarly required an end to DEI programs. Gomez warns that this agreement is just the canary in the coal mine. 'The Paramount payout and this reckless approval have emboldened those who believe the government can—and should—abuse its power to extract financial and ideological concessions, demand favored treatment, and secure positive media coverage,' she writes. 'It is a dark chapter in a long and growing record of abuse that threatens press freedom in this country. But such violations endure only when institutions choose capitulation over courage. It is time for companies, journalists, and citizens alike to stand up and speak out, because unchecked and unquestioned power has no rightful place in America.' Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Lauren Feiner Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Business Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Entertainment Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Film Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Policy Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Streaming Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All TV Shows
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Why is Donald Trump considering legal action against New York Times?
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he was considering legal action against the New York Times , in his latest attack on a major media outlet. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack A Chinese shadow falls on Pahalgam terror attack case probe How India can use water to pressure Pakistan Buzzkill: How India can dissolve the Pakistan problem, not just swat it Trump, on his Truth Social platform, blasted the New York Times' coverage of his legal suit against CBS-owner Paramount, saying it "makes them liable for tortious interference , including in Elections, which we are intently studying." "Tortious interference" occurs when a contract or business relationship is intentionally damaged by another person's actions. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Descubra cómo $250 pueden convertirse en ingresos potenciales Capital Markets Undo The Paramount suit revolves around a pre-election interview last year by the CBS program "60 Minutes" with Trump's Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, which he alleges was edited to remove an embarrassing response. ALSO READ: Did Trump's tariffs hurt US economy in first quarter? Here's what the GDP report card says Live Events Multiple US media outlets have reported in recent days that Paramount leadership has approved plans to settle with Trump, to help win regulatory approval of the company's sale to another firm. In reporting on the potential settlement, outlets including the New York Times have said many legal analysts view Trump's case as baseless, likely to be dismissed or fail under broad protections for freedom of the press. "The case we have against 60 Minutes, CBS, and Paramount is a true WINNER," Trump said Wednesday. "Despite all of the above... the Failing New York Times, which is Fake News both in writing and polling, claims that 'people' said that the case is baseless." "Nothing like this, the illegal creation of an answer for a Presidential Candidate, has ever been done before, they have to pay a price for it, and the Times should also be on the hook for their likely unlawful behavior," he said.
The Sun
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Trump signals possible legal action against NY Times
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he was considering legal action against the New York Times, in his latest attack on a major media outlet. Trump, on his Truth Social platform, blasted the New York Times' coverage of his legal suit against CBS-owner Paramount, saying it 'makes them liable for tortious interference, including in Elections, which we are intently studying.' 'Tortious interference' occurs when a contract or business relationship is intentionally damaged by another person's actions. The Paramount suit revolves around a pre-election interview last year by the CBS program '60 Minutes' with Trump's Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, which he alleges was edited to remove an embarrassing response. Multiple US media outlets have reported in recent days that Paramount leadership has approved plans to settle with Trump, to help win regulatory approval of the company's sale to another firm. In reporting on the potential settlement, outlets including the New York Times have said many legal analysts view Trump's case as baseless, likely to be dismissed or fail under broad protections for freedom of the press. 'The case we have against 60 Minutes, CBS, and Paramount is a true WINNER,' Trump said Wednesday. 'Despite all of the above... the Failing New York Times, which is Fake News both in writing and polling, claims that 'people' said that the case is baseless.' 'Nothing like this, the illegal creation of an answer for a Presidential Candidate, has ever been done before, they have to pay a price for it, and the Times should also be on the hook for their likely unlawful behavior,' he said.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Paramount inches toward settling Trump's $20-billion '60 Minutes' lawsuit
As CBS-owner Paramount Global enters mediation this week to resolve President Trump's $20-billion "60 Minutes" lawsuit, one question looms: How much should the company pay to settle a dispute that 1st Amendment experts have deemed frivolous? Paramount's board during an April 18 meeting agreed on parameters for a possible settlement with Trump, according to two people familiar with the discussions who were not authorized to comment. Mediation sessions begin Wednesday, multiple sources have said, and the company is eager to put the "60 Minutes" controversy behind so that it can move forward with its sale to David Ellison's Skydance Media. The New York Times first reported Paramount's board directors had agreed on settlement terms. The knowledgeable people said board members acted to provide clear guidance to lawyers who will be representing them during the mediation process. A Paramount representative declined to comment. Trump filed the lawsuit in Texas last October, alleging CBS deceptively edited a '60 Minutes' interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris in an effort to prop up her election chances. Early this year, the president doubled the amount of damages he was seeking to $20 billion. His updated lawsuit attempted to steer the case away from 1st Amendment issues and instead claim "60 Minutes" was a fraudulent product that harmed viewers in Texas. Paramount's controlling shareholder Shari Redstone has pushed for a settlement to facilitate Paramount's sale to the family headed by billionaire tech mogul Larry Ellison. Redstone's apparent willingness to appease Trump has sparked sharp protests within the company. Last week, Bill Owens, the executive producer of "60 Minutes," resigned, citing additional corporate pressure over coverage. On Sunday, veteran CBS newsman Scott Pelley told "60 Minutes" viewers about Owens' resignation. Pelley disclosed the show had been facing increased corporate oversight because of Paramount's desire to win the Trump administration's approval of the Skydance deal. The Federal Communications Commission must approve the transfer of CBS television station licenses to the Ellison family. 'None of our stories has been blocked,' Pelley told viewers at the end of the broadcast. 'But Bill felt he lost the independence that honest journalism requires." Read more: '60 Minutes' calls out Paramount Global over executive producer departure Redstone, who serves as Paramount's chairwoman, recused herself from discussions about the settlement, the sources said. She has refrained from voting on certain Paramount matters related to the company's sale due to a conflict of interest. Her family is expecting $1.75 billion as its part of the proceeds from the Skydance sale. Paramount, however, could face legal blowback if it shells out a huge amount to mollify Trump. Paramount's lawyers have pushed back against Trump's arguments and CBS journalists have maintained they did not distort the Harris interview. The raw footage shows she was quoted accurately, although CBS had edited her response by using her most cogent sentence. CBS has said the edits were made to pare the then-vice president's interview to a broadcast length. Board members are cognizant that a huge settlement could be viewed as something of a payoff to the president to move the Skydance merger over the finish line, knowledgeable sources have said. Read more: '60 Minutes' is a TV news powerhouse brand. Can it withstand Trump pressure? Amid the controversy, Trump's dismay with CBS and "60 Minutes" has continued. He grew angry over two segments that aired in April, stories on the war in Ukraine and Trump's desire to annex Greenland. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform earlier this month that he wanted Brendan Carr, his appointee to head the FCC, to ' impose the maximum fines and punishment" on CBS. Separately, after a long pause, the FCC reached out to Skydance in the last week to begin the merger review process. Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Paramount inches toward settling Trump's $20-billion '60 Minutes' lawsuit
As CBS-owner Paramount Global enters mediation this week to resolve President Trump's $20-billion '60 Minutes' lawsuit, one question looms: How much should the company pay to settle a dispute that 1st Amendment experts have deemed frivolous? Paramount's board during an April 18 meeting agreed on parameters for a possible settlement with Trump, according to two people familiar with the discussions who were not authorized to comment. Mediation sessions begin Wednesday, multiple sources have said, and the company is eager to put the '60 Minutes' controversy behind so that it can move forward with its sale to David Ellison's Skydance Media. The New York Times first reported Paramount's board directors had agreed on settlement terms. The knowledgeable people said board members acted to provide clear guidance to lawyers who will be representing them during the mediation process. A Paramount representative declined to comment. Trump filed the lawsuit in Texas last October, alleging CBS deceptively edited a '60 Minutes' interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris in an effort to prop up her election chances. Early this year, the president doubled the amount of damages he was seeking to $20 billion. His updated lawsuit attempted to steer the case away from 1st Amendment issues and instead claim '60 Minutes' was a fraudulent product that harmed viewers in Texas. Paramount's controlling shareholder Shari Redstone has pushed for a settlement to facilitate Paramount's sale to the family headed by billionaire tech mogul Larry Ellison. Redstone's apparent willingness to appease Trump has sparked sharp protests within the company. Last week, Bill Owens, the executive producer of '60 Minutes,' resigned, citing additional corporate pressure over coverage. On Sunday, veteran CBS newsman Scott Pelley told '60 Minutes' viewers about Owens' resignation. Pelley disclosed the show had been facing increased corporate oversight because of Paramount's desire to win the Trump administration's approval of the Skydance deal. The Federal Communications Commission must approve the transfer of CBS television station licenses to the Ellison family. 'None of our stories has been blocked,' Pelley told viewers at the end of the broadcast. 'But Bill felt he lost the independence that honest journalism requires.' Redstone, who serves as Paramount's chairwoman, recused herself from discussions about the settlement, the sources said. She has refrained from voting on certain Paramount matters related to the company's sale due to a conflict of interest. Her family is expecting $1.75 billion as its part of the proceeds from the Skydance sale. Paramount, however, could face legal blowback if it shells out a huge amount to mollify Trump. Paramount's lawyers have pushed back against Trump's arguments and CBS journalists have maintained they did not distort the Harris interview. The raw footage shows she was quoted accurately, although CBS had edited her response by using her most cogent sentence. CBS has said the edits were made to pare the then-vice president's interview to a broadcast length. Board members are cognizant that a huge settlement could be viewed as something of a payoff to the president to move the Skydance merger over the finish line, knowledgeable sources have said. Amid the controversy, Trump's dismay with CBS and '60 Minutes' has continued. He grew angry over two segments that aired in April, stories on the war in Ukraine and Trump's desire to annex Greenland. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform earlier this month that he wanted Brendan Carr, his appointee to head the FCC, to ' impose the maximum fines and punishment' on CBS. Separately, after a long pause, the FCC reached out to Skydance in the last week to begin the merger review process.
