For several months, CBS News stumbled with the fear that the parent company Paramount Global would write a big check to make President Trump’s suit worth $ 20 billion.
On Tuesday night, those concerns were fulfilled.
Paramount Global agreed to pay $ 16 million The Salvo Legal Legal Settlement against “60 minutes” due to the liberation of an interview with his opponent in 2024, then President Kamala Harris.
Within the news establishment, there was anger at what was widely seen as a surrender to Trump to scan a 8 billion dollar Paramount to integrate with David Elison’s Skydance Media. The case was classified as trivial by the first amendment experts.
But among some veterans in CBS news, the temptations were calmed down through a realistic fact: that the result may be worse.
The largest concern within the news department since Trump’s complaint was that the media company will be a strong armed in offering an apology or a statement that regretted a case they believed had no advantage. Amid internal anger over the settlement, there is relief that this did not happen.
“Everyone knew this was a line in the sand,” said one of the old CBS News.
Another journalist on the network, speaking about the same situation, said that thinking between many is that any financial payment is less than $ 20 million without an apology, will be counted as partial.
As negotiations continue to end the lawsuit, it became clear that the interests of companies exceed any concerns about the emergence of Trump’s requirements.
Trump filed a lawsuit in October, claiming “60 minutes”, to edit an interview with Harris to make it look better and enhance her chances in the elections, which Trump won decisively. CBS denied the claims, saying that the modifications were routine.
“If there was no suspended integration and take this to the court, they would have won,” the journalist said of the Trump case. “I think they understood that if they apologized, they will have an internal rebellion and they will have it because there was nothing to apologize for.”
Some say that leaving the former “60 minutes” CEO Bill Owens CBS News and Stations Head Wendy McMahon was sufficient to meet the Trump camp’s desire to apologize. Both CEOs insisted that CBS News did not do something in dealing with Harris of Interview.
Trump’s legal team called for victory.
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But while “60 minutes” avoided the humiliation that would have come with a merged statement, the program, which is the basis of the news department, must now advance in the era of lack of confidence in the media on the political right and disappointment on the left by those who believe the courage is short.
The “CBS Evening News” broadcaster on Wednesday sparked these challenges on the broadcasting program.
“A prominent settlement is a new obstacle,” said Dicrson. “Can you keep the authority for its account after paying it millions? Can the public trust you when he thinks you have traded this confidence? The audience will decide that.”
According to many people familiar with the CBS News who spoke to the Times, one is expected to leave “60 minutes” in protest against the settlement decision.
Andrew Hyuard, former CBS news head who is now a consultant, said it is up to the new CBS owners to maintain the independence of the press program.
“If this is at risk in the future, it will be unfortunate for CBS News and the country,” he said.
Although there was anger, many were afraid of a dark future for the news institution and the rest of the network Paramount Global The jumping deal cannot be closed. The lawsuit was considered an obstacle to the deal, which needs approval from the Federal Communications Committee, which is run by Trump Brendan Car.
“We can feel angry with everything we want, but the fact is that we are in a dangerous position,” said one of the non -journalists. “If this merger dies, I do not know if anyone will come and buy the entire company.”
While changing ownership usually generates fear and uncertainty through media organizations, the insiders at CBS News say they will be happy to see The shareholder -dominant shareholder in Paramount In the back vision mirror once the Skydance deal is completed.
The feelings within the news section related to umbrellas range from hope for the new investment from the deep Ellison to resignation that “it cannot get worse.”
As for any damage to its reputation, CBS News feels some comfort in the fact that ABC News did not significantly suffer from a $ 16 million settlement on the bodies of George Stefanopoulos by mistake Trump was convicted of rape instead of sexual assault In the civil lawsuit filed by E. Jean Carroll. Stefanopoulos signed a new contract on the network amid the controversy, and his “Good Morninga” program has not suffered a loss of classification since then.
Viewers have great expectations for “60 minutes”, which remains after 57 seasons in the first place as a more watching news program on TV (it’s also the most profitable show on CBS). If the program is allowed to maintain the same level of deep reports in which it is known, the public will exceed a bad decision for the company, according to Heyward.
“People on the right say it is another example of the main media who get what he deserves,” Hyard said. “People will say on the left that it is another example of a company heading towards President Trump for its selfish interests. Most people will return to” 60 minutes “and expect strong independent reports without fear or good – and this really concerns.
