Kara Swisher Threatens to Depart CNN Amid Potential Media Merger
In a bold statement on Monday, renowned tech journalist Kara Swisher pledged to leave CNN if the network's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, is acquired by Paramount Skydance and its CEO David Ellison, a known ally of former President Donald Trump. Swisher, who has served as an on-air contributor and panelist for CNN since 2023, did not mince words, declaring, "I'm not working for you hacks." Her remarks were made during a speaking engagement at Syracuse University, where she highlighted the threats posed by artificial intelligence, social media, and what she termed "the purchasing of media by technology billionaires."
Criticism of Ellison's Leadership and Media Practices
Swisher expressed deep skepticism about the potential ownership, referencing the negative impacts of Skydance's merger with Paramount last year, which led to layoffs and poor ratings at CBS. In a pointed aside to Scott McFarlane, a former CBS employee who left after Ellison took over, she commended his decision, saying, "Scott, good move. You'll love it out here, it's much better. 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." This sentiment echoes comments from her December episode of the "Pivot" podcast, where she first indicated she would "walk right out" of CNN under such a takeover.
Concerns Over Journalistic Integrity and Independence
During the conversation moderated by journalist Margaret Talev, Swisher elaborated on her reasons for opposing the merger. "I don't think they'll be good owners," she stated. "I think they've already shown several times, including editorial choices, which Scott knows more about than I — though I know a lot, Scott — that they have no interest in journalism." She emphasized her refusal to work for any organization that does not respect journalists, underscoring a commitment to editorial independence despite David Ellison's claims that CNN's autonomy would remain unaffected.
Swisher's Entrepreneurial Success and Media Critique
Swisher revealed that the company has been making efforts to retain her post-merger, but her distrust of the Ellisons is not the sole factor in her potential departure. She highlighted her success as an entrepreneur, having built her own media organization that generates significant revenue. "I've created my own media organization where I make a lot of money," she explained, enabling her to stand firm and say, "I'm not working for you hacks." She criticized traditional television, noting that audiences are declining and aging, while her "Pivot" podcast attracts more listeners aged 25 to 45 than all cable networks in primetime.
Broader Implications for the Media Industry
Swisher argued that entrepreneurship is essential in today's media landscape, describing the news business as a declining enterprise similar to show business. She suggested that if she desires to share opinions on television, she could easily transition to platforms like MSNBC or others. The full discussion is available on C-SPAN's YouTube account, providing further insight into her views on the evolving media sector and the challenges posed by billionaire acquisitions.
