Merger threatens “the free press, independent media, and free speech”

Washington, D.C.—Last week, David Ellison and Bari Weiss escalated their efforts to remake CBS to President Trump’s liking, firing 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi, executive producer Tanya Simon, correspondent Cecilia Vega, and executive editor Draggan Mihailovich. The actions have received widespread criticism, including from 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley, who accused Weiss of “murdering” the program. The escalation comes as over 200 journalists, academics, and filmmakers signed a letter highlighting the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger’s threat to free speech and independent journalism, and an opposition campaign among the film and entertainment industry grew to over 5,500 strong.

In response to the alarming development, Coalition For Women In Journalism, Committee for the First Amendment, Common Cause, Democracy Defenders Fund, International Documentary Association, Freedom of the Press Foundation, Free Press, National Press Photographers Association, and Reporters Without Borders have released the following statement:

“The firings at CBS’ 60 Minutes are a grotesque effort taken straight from an authoritarian handbook to appease a sitting president and dismantle one of the loudest voices in investigative journalism. This is only the beginning. Bari Weiss’ shameless actions fulfill the Ellisons’ commitment to President Trump to remake CBS to his liking. Larry Ellison has reportedly promised to do the same at CNN if allowed to take control through the pending Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Not because it makes any business sense, but because they seek to control the public discourse.

“The Paramount merger represents an existential threat to the free press, independent media, and free speech in this country and beyond, and should not be allowed to move forward. We cannot let this blow to the bedrock of our democracy be lost in the constant barrage of scandal, corruption, and abuse of power. We have to make the story heard. It’s what 60 Minutes would have done; it’s what the Fourth Estate is tasked with doing; it’s what Trump and the Ellisons want to prevent. Don’t let them.”

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Democracy Defenders Fund brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundations of our democracy.