Snag in Media Merger Stirs Tensions Over Trump-CNN Feud

https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/snag-in-media-merger-stirs-tensions-over-trump-cnn-feud-1510354324

By Amon Sharma at the WSJ

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Even if the deal closes, concerns about CNN’s independence could linger, as some staffers still aren’t sure what kind of steward AT&T would be. The telecom company has repeatedly vowed to protect CNN’s editorial independence.

If AT&T wanted to make a change in leadership at CNN, it would be in position to do so at the end of 2018, when Mr. Zucker’s contract expires, people familiar with the matter say. In a statement to Vanity Fair last month, AT&T said, “As it relates to CNN, it’s clearly a great organization, they are having a great year, and Jeff Zucker is doing a terrific job.”

A few months ago, AT&T executive John Stankey, who would be charged with running the Time Warner media assets if the deal goes through, asked to visit CNN’s newsroom and get a better sense of the editorial operations, said a person familiar with the matter. The request was an unusual one for CNN, where visits from corporate executives at Time Warner are rare.

Mr. Zucker declined, feeling that the optics of an AT&T executive making the rounds wouldn’t be good before the merger closes, people familiar with the matter say.


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