(CNN) - The new owner of CNN, David Ellison, said that he supports the legal measures taken by the network against the administration of US President Donald Trump regarding the issue of access to the White House, stressing that he “will not interfere in the organization’s news coverage.”
“We believe in editorial independence, and we will never interfere,” Ellison added, reiterating assurances he made during his bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery earlier this year.
The merger between Warner and Paramount went into effect on Tuesday, and Ellison held a general meeting for employees to introduce the newly merged company, which bears the name “Sky Dance.”
Ellison, CEO of Skydance, reviewed his vision for investing in films, programs and new technologies, and said: “For the first time, we own studios, franchises, libraries containing previous works, talent, and a large operational scale, all under one roof, which allows us to compete with any entity in the world.”
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper interviewed Ellison during the meeting and asked him directly about CNN employees' concerns about the transfer of ownership of the network to Skydance. In response, Ellison said, "I strongly believe in journalism," describing the work that CBS and CNN do as "a vital part of our democracy."
Speaking about the need for fact-based news, Ellison said: “Let's remember what President (former Barack) Obama said during the coronavirus pandemic: A republic that cannot agree on a unified set of facts cannot function effectively, and I think he was absolutely right about that.”
Regarding the news sector, Ellison said: “We really want to help expand the business and move it towards digital transformation.”
He stressed the importance of developing CNN's digital operations and reaching new audiences around the world, pointing to Skydance's estimates that the combined company reaches more than 200 million subscribers to digital broadcasting services.
He added that the newly formed company “could create a larger, more comprehensive platform for the best journalism in the world.”
Ellison's family ties to Trump have reportedly raised concerns among CNN employees about the network's independence.
Last fall, Trump described both Ellison and his father, billionaire Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, as “friends of mine” and “a great supporter of mine.”
In December, Trump stated that it was “essential to sell CNN to new owners.
In response to a reporter's question Tuesday afternoon about the merger, Trump said: “It's going to be a great company. “They are great people, and it will be a great company.”
During the open house organized by Skydance, Cooper asked a follow-up question regarding CNN and the First Amendment case that the network filed jointly with MS NOW and Politico in response to Trump's recent attempt to ban the three news organizations from entering the White House.
Cooper asked: “Do you stand with CNN and our efforts to restore our full right to cover President Trump?” Ellison replied: “Of course.”
The next hearing in this legal case is scheduled for Thursday.
The open meeting was attended by Mark Thompson, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of CNN, and Barry Weiss, Editor-in-Chief of CBS News; The two news organizations operate separately at the moment.
“We trust Mark, and we trust the team,” Ellison said, speaking on CNN.
Later, Cooper asked about the possibility of a collaboration or merger between CBS and CNN in the future, saying, "If Paramount and Warner Brothers become 'cousins,' and CBS and CNN do, when will someone start asking them to share critical segments?" "We're still on day one," Ellison replied, noting that he intends to involve the relevant business leaders in the "decision-making process" now that the deal is in effect.
In general, Ellison explained, companies typically start making merger decisions “within 120 days,” adding, “But I think it's foolish to try to say I'm going to give all the answers today.”
