"The organizations say Paramount is capitulating to the Trump administration rather than fighting for their journalists’ rights." 

"Press freedom groups and First Amendment advocates slammed Paramount’s $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump, saying the decision emboldened Trump’s attacks against an already-battered news industry.

“The lawsuit is just as frivolous today as it was yesterday, there’s zero substance to it,” said Bob Corn-Revere, chief counsel for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. “All this really shows is that sometimes, a bully can get his way.”

The lawsuit alleged that CBS News had deceptively edited a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris, then-vice president and Trump’s opponent in 2024, to portray her in a more favorable light. Originally, Paramount’s legal team wrote that the suit was “an affront to the First Amendment and is without basis in law or fact.”

But in settling, Paramount — the parent company of CBS — has drawn the ire of media groups pledged to protecting freedom of the press. Clayton Weimers, executive director of Reporters Without Borders, wrote in a statement the decision was “shameful” and accused Paramount executives of rewarding Trump for his “petty legal assault.”"

Nicole Markus reports for Politico July 2, 2025. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"For ‘60 Minutes,’ a Humbling Moment at an Uneasy Time for Press Freedom" (New York Times) [3]

"‘Spineless Capitulation.’ Paramount Faces Backlash Over Its $16-Million Trump Settlement" (Los Angeles Times) [4]

"Opinion: Wishing For A World Where Corporate Motives Didn’t Clash With The Sacred Trust Of Journalism" (Poynter) [5]

"Opinion: Paramount’s Trump Settlement Hands CBS News A Black Eye" (Poynter) [6]