More than 200 journalists, academics and filmmakers have signed a letter opposing Paramount Skydance’s proposed takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, warning the deal could threaten CNN’s editorial independence and give CEO David Ellison too much influence over major American news outlets. Warner Bros. Discovery owns CNN and HBO
The letter, organized by the Freedom of the Press Foundation, argues that Paramount’s control of CNN and HBO could lead to “improper political meddling,” particularly given concerns about recent changes at CBS under Ellison’s leadership. .
The signatories accused Paramount of already showing signs of political caution in its handling of CBS programming, citing pulled segments, staff departures and the cancellation of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” despite the program’s overwhelming financial losses. They argued that those examples raise concerns that CNN could be pushed in a direction “more favorable” to the Trump Administration.
“With this track record, Ellison will likely alter CNN’s editorial direction,” the letter said, according to reports.
The letter urged regulators and lawmakers to treat the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition not merely as a media consolidation deal, but as a potential “political arrangement” with implications for press freedom and democracy.
While opponents warn that new ownership could reshape CNN’s editorial direction, critics note that CNN has already undergone significant ideological and programming shifts over the years while struggling to maintain its audience. The network has endured multiple rounds of layoffs, declining ratings, and repeated leadership shakeups as executives searched for ways to reverse years of audience erosion.
CNN’s critics argue that the network’s credibility problems did not begin with the proposed Skydance deal. Polling over the past decade has consistently shown large portions of the public expressing distrust of mainstream media outlets, with CNN often accused of political bias. Those critics contend that concerns about ownership influence ring hollow when many viewers already believe the network’s editorial decisions are shaped by ideological assumptions.
They further argue that if CNN is losing viewers because Americans increasingly view it as partisan, efforts to broaden its appeal or restore trust should not automatically be characterized as censorship or political interference. From that perspective, the debate is not simply about press freedom, but whether major news organizations can continue operating under a model that many consumers have already rejected.
Among those who signed were former CNN anchor Jim Acosta, former ABC and CBS News correspondent Judy Muller and Oscar-winning filmmaker Laura Poitras.
Ellison has publicly denied that CNN’s independence would be compromised. In a CNBC interview, he said CNN is “an incredible brand with an incredible team” and pledged to maintain editorial independence if the deal goes through.
“We want to be in the truth business. We want to be in the trust business. And that’s not going to change,” Ellison said.
The proposed takeover is expected to face continued scrutiny from regulators, shareholders and press freedom activists before it can be finalized.
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What “editorial independence “?