Shari Redstone (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
On Wednesday morning, Shari Redstone found herself at the center of a media firestorm. The unyielding heiress who controls Paramount Global—and, by extension, CBS News—was the target of one of the most brutal headlines in recent memory. The Drudge Report, still an influential force in the world of media, ran a stark image of Redstone above a brutal banner headline: “WOMAN WHO DESTROYED CBSNEWS.” Below it, the accusations piled on: “REDSTONE GREED ENDING LEGACY?” “‘60 MINUTES’ SACRIFICED FOR SALE.” “FREE SPEECH BATTLE OVER TRUTH.”
It wasn't an anomaly. Over the past 24 hours, Redstone has been subjected to a remarkable public shaming. Jake Tapper delivered a stinging on-air report, asserting that in her "quest to sell the company," it's clear she will "bow to presidential pressure." Kara Swisher said that there is "mountains of shame" on Redstone "and everyone else involved here trying to settle such a ridiculous and baseless legal action." Even on the “CBS Evening News,” Redstone was portrayed as a billionaire trying to advance her own business interests. On and on the shaming went.
Meanwhile, inside CBS News, the anger ran even deeper. In conversations with staffers at the network, a picture emerged of a newsroom…
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