Who Owns CBS?

CBS operates under Paramount Skydance's corporate governance framework. The network's sustainability and ethics practices cover journalistic standards, production operations, and workplace policies.

Journalistic Standards: CBS News maintains editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, and independence in reporting. The network has established protocols for conflict of interest disclosure, source protection, and editorial decision-making. Following the 2025 merger, Paramount Skydance agreed to hire a news ombudsman for at least two years to review complaints about CBS news programming, as part of the FCC's merger approval conditions.

Content and Social Impact: Through Paramount's Content for Change initiative, CBS uses storytelling to address bias and stereotypes. The initiative has expanded to include more than 30 programs since its launch in 2020.

Sustainable Production: CBS participates in Paramount's sustainability strategy, which includes energy-efficient lighting, waste reduction programs, and sustainable sourcing at production facilities. The network's digital distribution has reduced paper usage and improved content delivery efficiency.

Workforce Policies: Under the FCC merger agreement, Paramount Skydance committed to ending diversity programs. The company's approach to workforce representation has shifted as a result of this agreement. CBS maintains compliance with applicable employment laws and regulations.

Community Engagement: CBS stations across the United States engage in local community service, emergency information dissemination, and public service campaigns. The network's owned-and-operated stations produce local journalism alongside national programming.

CBS and its news division have received independently verified journalism awards. The following are confirmed through the awarding organizations:

News & Documentary Emmy Awards (2025): CBS won five awards at the 46th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards. "60 Minutes" received three awards, including Outstanding Continuing News Coverage: Longform for "Border Coverage," Outstanding Investigative News Coverage: Longform for "Targeting Americans," and Outstanding Edited Interview for "Pope Francis." CBS Sunday Morning won Outstanding Light Feature Story: Shortform for "Face to Face" and Outstanding Writing: News for "Empty Rooms."

Peabody Awards: "60 Minutes" has received multiple Peabody Awards, the most among television news magazines. The Peabody Awards are administered by the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards: CBS News has received multiple duPont Awards, which recognize excellence in broadcast and digital journalism. These awards are administered by Columbia Journalism School.

Edward R. Murrow Awards: The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) has honored CBS News with multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in electronic journalism.

Trump Lawsuit and Settlement (2024-2025): Then-presidential candidate Donald Trump sued CBS over a "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris, alleging deceptive editing. The lawsuit, filed in Amarillo, Texas, sought $10 billion and later $20 billion in damages. In July 2025, Paramount Global settled for $16 million, with funds allocated to Trump's future presidential library and legal fees. The settlement did not include an apology. As part of the FCC merger approval, Paramount Skydance agreed to release transcripts of future "60 Minutes" interviews with presidential candidates.

Leadership Departures (2025): Bill Owens, executive producer of "60 Minutes," departed in April 2025, stating he could no longer "run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience." Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations, also resigned, stating "It's become clear that the company and I do not agree on a path forward."

Political Pressure and First Amendment Concerns: Constitutional law experts called the Trump lawsuit an "outrageous violation of First Amendment principles." Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Ron Wyden sent a letter to Paramount Global Chair Shari Redstone expressing concerns that a settlement would amount to bribery.

FCC Complaints and Regulatory Scrutiny: Conservative groups filed news distortion complaints with the FCC over the Harris interview. Outgoing FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel dismissed the complaint. After Trump took office, new FCC Chair Brendan Carr reopened the investigation and threatened "maximum fines and punishment" against CBS. The FCC approved the Paramount-Skydance merger after the lawsuit settlement and after Skydance agreed to hire a news ombudsman and end diversity programs.

Rathergate (2004): CBS News anchor Dan Rather reported a story questioning George W. Bush's military service based on documents that could not be authenticated. The resulting investigation led to Rather's departure from the "CBS Evening News" anchor position and the resignation of several producers.

Ownership and Corporate Influence: CBS's multiple ownership changes, including the 2000 Viacom merger, 2006 split, 2019 reunion, and 2025 Paramount Skydance merger, have raised recurring questions about editorial independence within corporate media structures.