SerpApi.Org
CNN star Clarissa Ward reportedly declined to commit to a long-term contract amid concerns that Bari Weiss could ultimately gain editorial control of the network if and when Paramount Skydance completes its proposed takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Ward, a former CBS News foreign correspondent who contributed to “60 Minutes,” agreed to a one-year extension with CNN in April after the two sides failed to reach terms on a multiyear deal, Status reported Tuesday, citing multiple people familiar with the matter.
The shorter deal gives Ward flexibility as Paramount pursues its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which would put CNN and CBS News under the same corporate owner.
According to Status, Ward has been alarmed by Weiss’s overhaul of CBS News, particularly “60 Minutes,” and the one-year extension allows her to assess whether Weiss is ultimately given editorial oversight of CNN.
STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST NEWS BY SUBSCRIBING TO MORNING REPORT NEWSLETTER
The Post has sought comment from CBS News. CNN declined to comment.
Status also reported that Ward has clashed with CNN executives overseeing the network’s digital strategy after expressing interest in hosting a podcast and expanding into other formats, only to have some of her ideas dismissed.
Ward’s reported concerns come as Weiss has dramatically reshaped CBS News, overhauling the leadership and talent ranks since taking control of the division.
The upheaval began before Weiss’ arrival, when longtime “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens resigned amid a dispute with Paramount’s previous leadership over what he viewed as increasing corporate interference in the program’s editorial process.
After taking over CBS News, Weiss dismissed Owens’ successor, Tanya Simon, along with correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, senior executive producer Draggan Mihailovich, veteran producer Guy Campanile and digital operations chief Matthew Polevoy as part of a sweeping restructuring of “60 Minutes.”
Veteran correspondent Scott Pelley was later fired after confronting Weiss and newly installed executive producer Nick Bilton during a staff meeting and accusing Weiss of “murdering” the newsmagazine.
Status previously reported that Paula Reid, CNN’s former chief legal affairs correspondent, declined to renew her contract because of uncertainty surrounding CNN’s future ownership and the possibility that Weiss could ultimately oversee the network.
The newsletter has also reported that other CNN staffers have privately expressed reservations about potentially working under Weiss.
Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery has won approval from WBD shareholders and the Justice Department. But the deal remains on hold since a federal judge issued a two-week temporary restraining order while a multistate antitrust lawsuit proceeds.
The suit, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and joined by 11 other Democrat-led states, argues the merger would unlawfully reduce competition in movie distribution and basic cable.
Paramount has dismissed the claims and is seeking to defeat the challenge in court.
