0:00
A new report says Paramount Global Chair Sherry Redstone attempted to
0:04
temporarily prevent negative news stories about President Trump from airing on its subsidiary CBS
0:12
According to Puck News, Redstone asked CBS CEO George Cheeks in April whether it would be possible
0:19
to delay pieces critical of Trump until after Paramount's $8 billion merger with Skydance was
0:26
finalized. Redstone's concerns allegedly stemmed from recent 60 Minutes episodes on topics such
0:32
as Trump's policies related to Ukraine and Greenland, which drew sharp criticism from
0:37
the president. Last month, Trump responded to the content of these episodes on Truth Social
0:43
accusing CBS of pushing fake news and urging the Federal Communications Commission to impose
0:49
quote, maximum fines and punishment on the network. The FCC is also currently reviewing
0:55
complaints related to a 60 Minutes interview with then President Kamala Harris which Trump has claimed was deceptively edited Paramount is currently in mediation over a billion lawsuit filed by
1:08
Trump regarding this matter, in which CBS has claimed no wrongdoing. While there is no evidence
1:14
CBS altered programming due to Redstone's request, the incident is said to have sparked
1:20
internal debate about editorial freedom. 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens stepped
1:26
down from his role last week, citing pressures he said compromise journalistic independence
1:31
a development the show's anchor Scott Pelley later addressed on air, defending Owens and
1:37
criticizing what he experienced as interference from above. Meanwhile, Paramount's merger with
1:43
Skydance remains under regulatory review by the FCC. The deal originally had an April 7th deadline
1:49
to close, but with FCC approval still pending, a 90-day extension was automatically issued under
1:55
the terms of the company's agreement. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kayleigh Carey
