Steve Kroft criticized Paramount's $16 million settlement with Trump, labeling it a surrender to a shakedown that prioritized financial concerns over journalistic integrity. He identified fear among executives regarding job security and First Amendment rights, exacerbated by an impending merger. Kroft argued that the settlement reflects a troubling dynamic in which news networks feel compelled to appease Trump's demands rather than adhere to journalistic scrutiny. He characterized the situation as a decline in journalistic independence, prompting discontent within CBS, highlighted by a producer's resignation due to these pressures.
Kroft highlighted the fear within Paramount, stating, "I think there's a lot of fear over there fear of losing their job, fear of what's happening to the country, fear of losing the First Amendment, all of those things." He suggested that the impending merger motivated executives to settle the lawsuit to avoid potential financial loss, stating that "billions being on the line was more important to executives than fighting a ridiculous lawsuit." Kroft called the settlement a shakedown, underscoring that it ultimately worked in the president's favor.
Regarding CBS's approach to the news, Kroft noted, "Yeah, it was a shakedown. That's what I call it. I mean, some people call it extortion. That's a legal term." He expressed concern that the settlement represented a failure of journalistic integrity, stating it doesn't feel like scrutiny on news networks but rather a sense of fealty to Trump.
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