Media heiress Shari Redstone, a controlling stakeholder in CBS News' parent company Paramount Global, is furious with network executives over the left-leaning shift in Israel coverage and lobbying them to hire more conservative voices. It is reported that he did so.
According to current and former network executives cited by the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Redstone used clips from other stations as an example of what he felt was more balanced coverage of Israel's fight against Hamas terrorists. He said he sent it to upper management at CBS.
The newspaper reported that she was particularly upset about last spring's episode of “Face the Nation,” which criticized Israel after an attack on Gaza killed seven aid workers.
Her fury stems from CBS News' Wendy's comments last week over her approval of the costumes of morning show anchor Tony Dokoupil, who criticized author Ta-Nehisi Coates' latest book for his strong criticism of Israel. It is reported that this happened after he criticized President McMahon.
Redstone, the 70-year-old daughter of the late media mogul Sumner Redstone, called Dokoupil to praise the grueling interview and had dinner with the anchor earlier this week, the newspaper reported. .
The Post has reached out to Paramount and CBS for comment.
Aside from Mr. Dokoupil's problems, Tiffany Networks has been embroiled in multiple firestorms that have called into question the journalistic integrity of the former home of Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite.
The network came under fire last week for editing a “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, cutting out “word salad” answers to make it more consistent.
On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized CBS News for cutting back on interviews on Sunday's “Face the Nation,” calling it part of a pattern to undermine conservatives.
Republicans were also angry at the CBS host who sparred with Republican Sen. J.D. Vance when he was vice president. debate against Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said so earlier this month.
CBS News recently instructed its staff not to refer to Jerusalem as part of Israel, according to a report. The Free Press reported.
Redstone, who sold control of Paramount to Skydance Media in a deal expected to close next year, said he was pushing more conservative voices within the network to balance out what he felt were liberal leanings. It has been reported.
According to the newspaper, he also told former Paramount Global CEO Robert Bakish that he had raised concerns with CBS President and CEO George Cheeks before Bakish was fired earlier this year. He reportedly instructed them to make a statement.
Mr. Cheeks, who was promoted as a member of Paramount's three-headed leadership after Bakish's resignation, held a referendum of confidence in Mr. McMahon in the wake of the Dokoupil debacle.
The tough Sept. 30 interview prompted a staff meeting last Monday in which the anchor was accused by McMahon and other news department heads of displaying pro-Israel bias.
While some CBS employees complained about Dokoupil to higher-ups and demanded that their concerns be raised publicly, others defended him, saying he was practicing sound journalism.
CBS News reporters reportedly tried to quell the resentment by bringing in a self-proclaimed “mental health expert, DEI strategist and trauma trainer,” who turned out to be Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina). His invitation was revoked after he was found to have posted a racially insensitive image. ).
As The Post exclusively reported, Dokoupil told staff in an emotional meeting last Tuesday that he “regrets” the difficult position he has put them in.
Dokoupil, who converted to Judaism, is married to MSNBC anchor Katie Tur.
His ex-wife lives in Israel with their two children.
