Media experts are raising concerns about the independence of an oversight board established to monitor CNN and CBS News following David Ellison's takeover of the two news organisations. The board, comprising five veteran journalists, aims to establish guiding editorial and journalism principles for the combined entity's news channels. However, sceptics argue that the board's authority and independence are limited, given that its members will be appointed and paid by Ellison's company.
The board's structure and powers have been questioned by several media experts and journalists. Dan Gillmor, a retired journalist and educator, stated that genuine oversight of a news organisation comes from its editors and owners, and that an appointed board may not be effective in ensuring editorial independence. Kara Swisher, a prominent journalist, has also expressed concerns, saying that Ellison's record at CBS News so far has been "troubling" and that the oversight board is merely a "fig leaf".
The settlement that established the oversight board was reached between Ellison's company, Paramount Skydance, and a coalition of 12 US states and a Hollywood writers' union. While California attorney-general Rob Bonta has expressed support for the board, saying it will protect the integrity of CNN and CBS, others have highlighted significant enforcement gaps. Jonathan Peters, a media law professor, noted that the settlement creates an independent monitoring trustee with broad authority, but this trustee has no role in overseeing the news operations.
Critics have also pointed to Ellison's past actions as a media owner, specifically his handling of news coverage at CBS News, which some say was tailored to favour President Donald Trump. This has raised concerns about how Ellison will manage CNN once it comes under his ownership. Furthermore, there is no provision requiring the board's findings and decisions to be made public, which may limit its accountability.
The oversight board is expected to resolve internal disputes over reporting bias and disputes between news staff and management at CNN and CBS. Board members will serve three-year terms and are protected against arbitrary dismissal by a "good cause" removal standard. However, the company retains exclusive authority to fill all vacancies, which may undermine the board's independence.
The concept of an independent oversight board is not new, and a similar example can be seen in the Wall Street Journal's special committee established in 2007 when Rupert Murdoch's News Corp acquired the publication. However, this committee has been considered powerless, and its inability to prevent Murdoch from installing his own loyal lieutenant as top editor in 2008 has raised questions about its effectiveness.
The new oversight board will be established within 180 days of the merger, giving Ellison a six-month window to reshape newsroom leadership before any oversight begins. As the media landscape continues to evolve, the effectiveness of this board in ensuring editorial independence at CNN and CBS News will be closely watched.
Key points
- Experts warn that the oversight board may be "toothless" due to its limited authority and dependence on Ellison's company.
- The board's structure and powers have been questioned by media experts and journalists, who highlight significant enforcement gaps.
- The concept of an independent oversight board is not new, but its effectiveness in ensuring editorial independence remains uncertain.
