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Western Left·Founded 1980
CNN
Center-LeftWarner Bros. Discovery
CNN is a multinational news channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Under CEO David Zaslav, the network has undergone significant editorial shifts. Warner Bros. Discovery is a publicly traded company with major shareholders including Liberty Media's John Malone and Advance/Newhouse Partnership.
Ownership Chain
CNNWarner Bros. DiscoveryDavid Zaslav (CEO); major shareholders include John Malone, Advance/Newhouse
Funding Sources
advertisingcable carriage feesstreaming subscriptions (CNN Max)
Known Conflicts of Interest
- •Warner Bros. Discovery has significant business interests in entertainment and streaming that intersect with news coverage of tech and media policy.
- •Major shareholder John Malone has expressed desire for CNN to be less partisan, influencing editorial direction.
- •CNN's advertising revenue creates conflicts when covering major advertisers like pharmaceutical and auto companies.
Notable Connections
- •John Malone, Liberty Media chairman, is a major WBD shareholder with known political preferences
- •Warner Bros. Discovery lobbies Congress on media regulation, copyright, and streaming policy
- •Revolving door between CNN and political consulting — former anchors and commentators frequently join campaigns
- •CNN hosts presidential debates, giving the network direct access to and influence over political candidates