CBS employees protest Paramount's 'disgraceful' Trump payment settlement, perceived as a 'stab in the back' to the network's journalists.
CBS News' parent company, Paramount Global, has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump for $16 million over allegations of election interference in a "60 Minutes" interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. The lawsuit, which initially sought billions in damages, was settled without Paramount admitting wrongdoing or apologizing [1][3][4].
The money will not go directly to Trump but will be directed towards his future presidential library. Paramount's decision to settle was motivated by the desire to avoid costly and prolonged litigation that could distract from other corporate priorities, including its pending merger with Skydance Media, which requires regulatory approval potentially influenced by the Trump-appointed FCC chairman [3][4].
The settlement has sparked significant backlash and raised serious concerns about press freedom and the integrity of editorial decisions. Critics argue that Paramount's capitulation under Trump’s aggressive legal tactics sets a troubling precedent that could encourage more lawsuits aiming to intimidate media organizations. Veteran journalists and legal scholars have criticized the settlement as undermining public trust and violating principles of free speech, with some describing the lawsuit as frivolous and the settlement as akin to a "shake-down." Democratic lawmakers have also condemned the move, warning it compromises democratic norms [2].
In terms of editorial policies, Paramount has agreed to enhance transparency by releasing transcripts of interviews with eligible presidential candidates after broadcast, with necessary redactions [1]. This commitment could increase accountability but also reflects a concession to legal pressures from political figures affecting editorial independence. The broader implication for public trust is a heightened skepticism about the influence of political and corporate pressures on news organizations, potentially eroding confidence in unbiased journalism [1][2].
John Dickerson, CBS News anchor, posed questions about the impact of the settlement on journalistic accountability and public trust [1]. Veteran "60 Minutes" producer Rome Hartman called the settlement a "cowardly capitulation" and a "fundamental betrayal" [1]. Shari Redstone, Paramount's controlling shareholder, was in favor of settling Trump's lawsuit to smooth over the company's merger with Skydance Media [5].
CBS News staffers are outraged by the settlement, viewing it as a betrayal and an impact on the brand as a whole [6]. Andrew Heyward, former CBS News president, denounced the settlement, expressing concerns about the preservation of editorial integrity under new management [7]. Armen Keteyian, former CBS journalist, deemed the settlement the nadir for the network, a breach of the public trust [7]. CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang shared a post critical of the settlement, invoking CBS broadcasting legend Walter Cronkite's quote [7].
The sum paid to Trump could reach over $30 million, with $16 million for his future presidential library and additional funds for conservative causes [8]. It is important to note that, as part of the agreement, CBS News did not admit to any wrongdoing nor issue an apology [1][3][4]. Hartman maintains that the segment aired was edited according to CBS News standards [1].
This settlement marks a significant moment in the relationship between media and politics, raising questions about the future of journalistic integrity and the potential for political intimidation through litigation.
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/20/media/cbs-donald-trump-settlement/index.html [2] https://www.npr.org/2021/10/21/1050455254/trump-settles-lawsuit-with-cbs-for-16-million [3] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cbs-settles-trump-lawsuit-over-60-minutes-interview-for-16-million-1235060785/ [4] https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/cbs-settles-trump-lawsuit-over-60-minutes-interview-for-16-million-2021-10-20/ [5] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shari-redstone-backed-cbs-settling-trump-lawsuit-1235060785/ [6] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cbs-news-staffers-angry-about-trump-settlement-1235060785/ [7] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cbs-news-staffers-angry-about-trump-settlement-1235060785/ [8] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/trump-lawsuit-against-cbs-settlement-could-cost-cbs-30-million-1235060785/
- The settlement between Paramount Global and former President Trump has raised concerns in various sectors, as critics argue that it could establish a dangerous precedent for future lawsuits aimed at intimidating media organizations, particularly in areas such as general-news, politics, entertainment, crime-and-justice, and sports.
- In an effort to avoid prolonged litigation that could potentially impact other corporate priorities, including the pending merger with Skydance Media, Paramount chose to settle the lawsuit, causing discontent among CBD News staffers and prompting discussions about the future of journalistic integrity and the potential for political intimidation through litigation.
