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Inside CBS News: Fear, anger and a silver lining after Paramount-Trump settlement

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For several months, there have been concerns within CBS News that the corporate parent, Paramount Global, might pay a substantial amount of money to settle Donald Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit.

On Tuesday night, those fears came true.

ViacomCBS (now known as Paramount Global) has chosen to compensate Trump’s team with a sum of $16 million to resolve the lawsuit he filed against “60 Minutes” over the alteration of an interview between him and his potential 2024 rival, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Inside the news corporation, there was frustration about what seemed like giving in to Trump to facilitate an $8-billion merger between Paramount and David Ellison’s Skydance Media, a move that many viewed critically. This case was deemed unnecessary by First Amendment specialists.

However, even amongst some veteran CBS News members, tensions eased when they acknowledged that things could have turned out even more unfavorably.

As a movie buff putting it in my own words, within our newsroom, there was a significant apprehension ever since Trump’s complaint. The fear was that we might be coerced into issuing an apology or a statement expressing regret over a matter we firmly believed lacked substance. Fortunately, amidst the internal fury over the settlement, we can breathe a sigh of relief because it did not come to that.

A CBS News veteran, who didn’t have permission to speak about it openly, stated that everyone understood it was a clear boundary,” or more casually, “Everyone realized it was a firm limit, according to an unauthorized CBS News veteran.

In similar circumstances, another reporter from our network stated that there’s a widespread belief that accepting a financial settlement below $20 million without an apology could be considered a semi-victory.

During the prolonged discussions aimed at resolving the lawsuit, it grew increasingly clear that business priorities took precedence over any perceived yielding to Donald Trump’s requests, potentially giving rise to such an impression.

Or:

As time went on in the attempts to settle the lawsuit, it became obvious that corporate interests were given priority over concerns about seeming to give in to demands made by Donald Trump. This might have created the impression of caving.

In October, Trump initiated a lawsuit asserting that “60 Minutes” manipulated an interview with Harris by making edits to portray her as more intelligent and boost her electoral prospects, a race Trump eventually dominated comfortably. CBS countered these allegations, stating that the edits were standard practice.

In the journalist’s words, “Had Trump’s case not been tied up with a potential merger, they likely would have emerged victorious in court.” The journalist further explained, “I believe they recognized that offering an apology could spark internal dissent, and they would have done so because there was nothing to apologize for.

It has been suggested that the departures of Bill Owens, a former executive producer at “60 Minutes”, and Wendy McMahon, who led CBS News and its stations, might have fulfilled the Trump camp’s request for an apology. Both executives strongly maintained that CBS News conducted the Lara Logan interview properly, with no improper actions involved.

Trump’s legal team claimed victory.

As a dedicated cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that President Donald J. Trump is scoring another victory for the American public, this time by calling out the Fake News media for their errors and dishonesty, as expressed in an official statement.

As a film enthusiast, I find myself reflecting on the recent predicament facing “60 Minutes.” While they steered clear of the public apology that might have been warranted, this iconic program now stands at a crossroads amidst a sea of media mistrust, particularly from the political right, and disillusionment among those on the left who feel that bravery is in short supply. It’s a challenging time for journalism, and “60 Minutes” must navigate these waters if they hope to remain relevant and trusted in an ever-evolving media landscape.

Based on reports from multiple sources at CBS News who spoke to The Times, it’s unlikely that anyone will leave “60 Minutes” as a result of the recent settlement decision.

Andrew Heyward, a former president of CBS News who now works as a consultant, stated that it is the responsibility of the new owners of CBS to preserve the program’s journalistic autonomy. He added that if this independence were ever compromised in the future, it would be regrettable not only for CBS News but also for the country as a whole.

Despite the existing anger, there was widespread concern about a dismal future for the news organization and its network if Paramount Global couldn’t finalize the Skydance deal. The ongoing lawsuit was perceived as an impediment to the deal, as it requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission, currently headed by Trump appointee Brendan Carr.

One journalist remarked that no matter how angry we might feel about it, the truth is our circumstances were extremely delicate,” he said, unable to discuss the matter publicly. “I’m not certain who would step in and purchase the entire company if that merger fell through.

Hollywood Inc.

The host on ‘Good Morning America’ is sticking around as the show, who’s ratings have dropped slightly behind ‘The Today Show’ on NBC, will continue to keep him.

Inside CBS News, there’s a sense of relief and anticipation as the completion of the Skydance deal approaches. Insiders at the organization have expressed that they are looking forward to having Paramount Global’s primary shareholder, Shari Redstone, out of sight, as her presence has often stirred apprehension and uncertainty within media organizations.

Within the news division, emotions vary from optimism about potential fresh investments by wealthy investor Ellison to a sense of acceptance that things might not improve any further.

Regarding any potential harm to its standing, CBS News finds solace knowing that ABC News doesn’t seem to have been significantly affected by its $16 million settlement related to George Stephanopoulos incorrectly stating Trump was convicted of rape instead of sexual abuse in the lawsuit filed by E. Jean Carroll. Despite this controversy, Stephanopoulos has renewed his contract at the network and his show “Good Morning America” hasn’t experienced a drop in ratings since.

As a devoted movie buff, I’ve always held “60 Minutes” in high regard, having watched it for 57 seasons and counting. This iconic news program remains the most-watched on TV, and more importantly, the most profitable show on CBS. If they can continue delivering their signature deep reporting, I firmly believe the audience will overlook any corporate blunders, as suggested by Heyward.

On one side, those on the right argue it’s just another instance of the media facing consequences for their actions. Meanwhile, those on the left believe it’s yet another case of a corporation succumbing to President Trump’s demands for self-serving reasons. However, what truly matters is that people continue to watch ’60 Minutes’, expecting objective reporting without bias or favoritism.

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2025-07-03 13:31

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