Veteran tech journalist Kara Swisher has issued a stark ultimatum, vowing to sever all connections with CNN if the network is acquired by Paramount in a colossal $111 billion deal. Swisher launched a scathing attack on billionaire Larry Ellison, labeling him a 'terrible person' and expressing grave doubts about his suitability as a media owner.
A Blistering Critique at Syracuse University
During a panel discussion at Syracuse University this week, Swisher did not mince words when addressing the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, which would place CNN under Ellison's control. She warned the audience directly, stating, 'You don't want to work for the Ellisons.'
'I've spent a lot of time with Larry Ellison and he's a terrible person,' Swisher declared, highlighting her personal interactions with the Oracle co-founder. She noted that the deal remains incomplete and expressed hope that it would ultimately collapse. Reports indicate Ellison aims to finalize the purchase by September.
Concerns Over Journalistic Impartiality and Ownership
The acquisition would unite CNN and CBS News under a single corporate umbrella, raising significant concerns about editorial independence and potential bias. Critics have pointed to Ellison's well-documented close ties with the Trump administration as a particular point of scrutiny.
Swisher revealed that both Larry Ellison and his son, David Ellison—owner of Paramount Skydance—have made efforts to retain her as a CNN contributor. Her response was unequivocal: 'Too bad. It’s not going to work. It’s not gonna happen for you.'
'I don’t think they’ll be good owners,' she continued. 'I don’t. I think they’ve already shown several times, including editorial choices.' Swisher, who joined CNN as an on-air contributor in 2023 and hosts the podcast 'Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever,' emphasized that her opposition stems from core principles of journalistic integrity.
Integrity Over Economics
'They have no interest in journalism,' Swisher told the panel, explaining her stance. 'And I refuse to work for an organization that doesn’t respect journalists.' While some have opposed the merger due to fears of widespread layoffs at CNN, Swisher acknowledged that cost-cutting is sometimes a business necessity.
'Listen, I got laid off before,' she said. 'I think a lot of these legacy organizations have been stubborn in terms of not seeing what’s going on. That’s not my issue. There has to be cuts. The costs are out of whack with the audience, right? That’s just the way it is.'
Instead, Swisher's animosity is rooted in what she perceives as Ellison's 'disdain for (journalism) as anything useful.' She argued, 'It’s not a way to reform it except for someone who isn’t a journalist. I’m sorry, but there’s no place for me to do that.'
Broader Industry Anxiety and Deal Background
The Daily Mail has contacted Paramount for comment regarding Swisher's remarks. The proposed deal has progressed in recent weeks after Paramount's earlier merger talks with Netflix dissolved. Netflix, which had pursued an agreement for years, withdrew in January, deeming it 'no longer financially attractive.'
This withdrawal prompted David Ellison to propose a $31-per-share offer, culminating in the $111 billion valuation. Despite David Ellison's assurances that CNN would maintain its editorial independence, the prospect of the takeover has ignited fear and uncertainty within both CNN and CBS News.
Staffers at CBS News are reportedly panicked about the potential consolidation with CNN. One producer reacted with expletives when questioned about the future, while another source acknowledged that mergers typically lead to cuts on both sides.
Adding to the anxiety, sources indicate that CNN employees are particularly alarmed by the possibility of coming under the influence of Bari Weiss, a right-leaning journalist whom Ellison might appoint to lead CBS News. The Ellisons' friendship with the Trump administration, which approved their acquisition of Paramount last year, further fuels concerns about political interference in news coverage.
As the media landscape braces for potential upheaval, Swisher's defiant stance underscores the deep tensions between profit-driven consolidation and the foundational values of independent journalism.
