Rightward Shift in U.S.Media Landscape Intensifies with CBS Appointment, Paramount Acquisitions, and Editorial Changes
NEW YORK – A growing conservative influence is reshaping the U.S. mainstream media landscape, marked by recent appointments, acquisition talks, and editorial decisions at prominent outlets including CBS, Paramount, The Washington Post, and Vanity Fair.
CBS News recently appointed Kenneth Weinstein, a figure with ties to Donald Trump and a background in conservative think tanks – specifically the Hudson Institute – as head of public complaints. This move has raised concerns about potential government influence over news coverage, particularly following criticism from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem regarding CBS’s “Face the Nation” program.
Simultaneously, Paramount’s new Chairman and CEO David ellison is reportedly negotiating to acquire Free Press, the media venture founded by former New York Times reporter Bari Weiss, and is considering a realignment of CBS news’ editorial direction. Adding to the shifts, Paramount removed an episode of South park that parodied conservative commentator charlie Kirk shortly after a reported incident involving Kirk.
The changes coincide with a surge in viewership for right-leaning news networks. Since Trump’s re-election, News Corp‘s stock price has risen over 40%. News Corp secured 63% of full-day ratings and 65% of the prime time audience in August, while CNN and MSNBC experienced a 50% decline in viewership during the same period.Control of the family media business at News Corp has been solidified by Lachlan Meadows and his sisters, Chloe and Grace, who will maintain control until 2050, with other family members receiving a $1.1 billion distribution.
The conservative trend extends beyond television news. The Washington Post,owned by Jeff Bezos,appointed Adam O’Neal,formerly of The Economist and The Wall Street Journal,to oversee its commentary section,with a focus on ”individual freedom and free market” principles.
At Vanity Fair, a proposal by new Editor-in-Chief Mark Guiducci to feature former Frist Lady Melania Trump on the cover sparked internal backlash from staff.