Date: October 6, 2026
Source: CNN
Topic: CNN / Skydance / David Ellison / Donald Trump / Media Independence
CNN’s new owner, David Ellison, said Tuesday that he supports the network’s legal fight against the Trump administration and promised that his company will not interfere with CNN’s journalism.
Ellison made the comments as the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger officially closed, creating a newly combined company known as Skydance. The deal places CNN and CBS News under the same corporate ownership.
Ellison Supports CNN’s Lawsuit Against Trump
During a company-wide town hall, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper directly asked Ellison whether he supported CNN’s effort to restore access to covering President Donald Trump.
Ellison responded that he did.
CNN, along with MS NOW and Politico, is challenging the Trump administration in court over restrictions on White House press access. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Thursday.
Promise of Editorial Independence
Ellison also sought to reassure CNN journalists who have expressed concerns about the network’s future under new ownership.
“We believe in editorial independence, and we will never interfere,” Ellison said.
He later reiterated that CNN and CBS News would remain completely editorially independent, saying the company wants to build public trust by following through on those commitments.
The comments come amid heightened scrutiny of the Ellison family’s relationship with Trump. Trump has previously described Ellison and his father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, as friends and supporters.
Mark Thompson Will Remain at CNN
As part of the new ownership structure, Mark Thompson will remain CNN’s chairman and editor-in-chief.
At CBS News, Bari Weiss will also remain in her leadership role. The two news organizations are currently expected to operate separately, although the new company has said it will eventually look for efficiencies and opportunities to integrate parts of its broader business.
Thompson has told CNN employees that he has confidence the new owners will support independent journalism and that he intends to lead CNN with the same editorial responsibilities he has had.
New Editorial Oversight Board
The merger also includes plans for a News Editorial Independence Board.
Under an agreement reached with states that challenged the merger, the board is expected to monitor editorial standards at CNN and CBS News. It will consist of journalists with significant professional experience.
However, critics have questioned how independent the board will be because its members will be appointed by the combined company.
Major Changes Still Ahead
While Ellison emphasized stability in the news divisions, the new company faces significant financial and operational challenges.
The merger combines major film studios, television networks, streaming services and news organizations. Skydance says it plans to use technology and scale to compete with companies such as Netflix, Disney, Google and Amazon.
CNN analysts have also noted that cost-cutting and layoffs could occur as the new company searches for efficiencies, although the full extent of those changes remains unclear.
What Comes Next for CNN
For CNN employees and viewers, the biggest question is whether Ellison’s promises of editorial independence will hold as the new company makes difficult financial and strategic decisions.
For now, CNN and CBS News remain separate news operations, with Thompson and Weiss continuing to lead their respective organizations.
Ellison’s support for CNN’s lawsuit against the Trump administration also puts the new owner on record backing the network’s legal efforts to defend its access to the White House.
Source: CNN
Original CNN Article: Read the original CNN report
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Date: October 6, 2026
Source: CNN
Topic: CNN / Skydance / David Ellison / Donald Trump / Media Independence
