FPF statement on ‘editorial independence board’ for CBS and CNN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New York, Sept. 21, 2026 — California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced at a news conference that a coalition of state attorneys general has reached a settlement of its case opposing the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, which would put both CNN and CBS News under the control of the David Ellison-led Paramount Skydance. The agreement requires the creation of an “independent” editorial board, to be appointed by and answering to Paramount’s board, to oversee CNN and CBS News and, according to Bonta, to “ensure independent, objective, fact-based reporting.” The following can be attributed to Freedom of the Press Foundation Chief of Advocacy Seth Stern: “A Paramount-appointed editorial independence board for CNN and CBS is worthless. The fish rots from the head, and thi…