CNN staffers are anxious about the impending Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery mega-merger, which would put the network under the control of David Ellison. Despite a temporary delay in the deal, insiders feel that the merger is inevitable.

Merger Details

The $111 billion deal has been approved by the European Union and the U.S. Justice Department, but a federal judge has granted a temporary restraining order, blocking the companies from closing the deal until at least August 17. Paramount has agreed to delay the deal until next year to allow the lawsuit to play out in court.

CNN staffers are worried about the direction of the network under Ellison, with some concerned about keeping their jobs. Others are anxious about the potential changes in the network’s editorial independence. Ellison has publicly vowed that CNN will maintain its editorial independence, but some staffers are skeptical.

Leadership Changes

CNN has seen multiple leadership changes in recent years, with Jeff Zucker being ousted as CEO in 2022. Chris Licht, who replaced Zucker, struggled to earn the trust of the CNN workforce and was ultimately fired by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. Mark Thompson, the current CEO of CNN, has been credited for his effective stints leading The New York Times and the BBC, but his future at the network remains uncertain.

The potential merger has also raised concerns about the role of Bari Weiss, Ellison’s handpicked editor-in-chief of CBS News, who may be given oversight of CNN. Some CNN staffers have expressed strong reservations about working for Weiss, who has been accused of bending the knee to Trump and trying to curry favor with his administration.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.