Connie Chung Rips CBS Over “Greedy” Overhaul: “Truth Doesn’t Matter Anymore”

Veteran journalist Connie Chung, one of the most respected figures in American news broadcasting, is speaking out about the sweeping changes transforming CBS News, calling the network unrecognizable compared to the newsroom she once led.

During a recent appearance on the podcast Pablo Torre Finds Out, Chung sharply criticized the leadership behind the Paramount–Skydance merger, accusing the network’s current owners of prioritizing profit over journalism. The former anchor said she believes greed is now driving decision-making at the outlet.

Chung Blasts Network Owners for “Crashing CBS”

Chung specifically pointed to Shari Redstone and David Ellison—whose company Skydance acquired Paramount earlier this year—as responsible for dismantling the legacy of CBS News.

“CBS is a whole different organization than I had worked for,” Chung said on the podcast.
“Greedy owners… have caused the venerable CBS to actually disassemble, to crash into crumbles.”

She also took direct aim at newly appointed editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, formerly of The Free Press, saying she didn’t know what to call her as the leader of the newsroom.

The merger triggered sweeping restructuring across the network, including removing anchors from long-running programs and fueling rumors that major figures—such as Gayle King—may soon exit the network.

Chung Says She Can’t Watch CBS News Anymore

When asked whether she still follows CBS News, Chung admitted she avoids watching altogether.

“I can’t. The paradigm has completely changed… we have so much opinion that the truth doesn’t hold value anymore.”

She argued that modern news has prioritized commentary over reporting, forcing audiences to struggle to identify real facts.

“We can’t find good, old-fashioned facts… and it distresses me so terribly.”

Chung’s criticisms reflect broader concerns about the state of journalism, as many viewers feel overwhelmed by partisan commentary dominating television and digital news formats.

A New Direction for CBS

The overhaul at CBS News is part of wider restructuring at Paramount. Major changes have already been announced on the entertainment side, including the recent cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, signaling a massive shift in network strategy.

Industry observers expect more bold changes in the coming months, potentially reshaping CBS into a dramatically different network than the institution Chung once represented.

Chung, who made history as the second woman to anchor a major network newscast and the first Asian American in the role, said she hopes news organizations will once again return to fact-based journalism.

For now, she believes that mission has been abandoned.