Panic at CNN Over Rumored Sale to Saudis: ‘It Scares the Hell Out of Me’
Washington Post journalist and CNN contributor Jason Rezaian sounded the alarm Tuesday, saying the left-wing network’s rumored sale to Saudi Arabia “scares the hell out of me.”
“When I hear about attempts by Saudi Arabia to potentially buy media companies in the United States and wield that kind of power, it scares the hell out of me,” Rezaian said.
Variety, citing anonymous sources, reported Tuesday that CNN parent company Warner Bros. Discovery was considering a sale to a team of investors led by Paramount Skydance that includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. A Paramount Skydance representative later denied the claim and called it “categorically inaccurate.”
Rezaian’s comments came in response to President Donald Trump’s call to revoke ABC News’s broadcast license after a journalist for the network asked about Jeffrey Epstein. CNN News Central cohost Brianna Keilar called the threat “uncharacteristic treatment of journalists for America” and asked Rezaian for his thoughts.
“I was listening to that moment. I applaud her for doing her job and not standing down,” he said before explaining his fear about a Saudi purchase.
“We can still do our job in this country. The four of us at this table can still get out here, talk about this, criticize the U.S. government,” he added. “The concern for me is the self-censorship that’s beginning to happen in our industry. And really, the safety of people doing this job.”
Saudi Arabia has a notorious history of censorship and human rights abuses, such as murdering dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The nation has been on a campaign to recast its image through efforts like launching LIV Golf. It recently paid top dollar to major American stand-up comics like Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart to perform in Riyadh, though contracts for the gig reportedly included a gag clause that barred the comedians from disparaging Saudi Arabia, its leaders and royal family, culture, or any religion.
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