Redstone Defends CBS Anchor Amid Backlash

Shari Redstone, chair of CBS News' parent company Paramount Global, has publicly defended CBS Mornings co-anchor Tony Dokoupil following backlash over his interview with author Ta-Nehisi Coates. Redstone criticized CBS executives for reprimanding Dokoupil, describing the handling as a 'bad mistake' and praised him for fostering civil discourse during the interview. Despite internal controversy and concerns over editorial standards, Redstone emphasized the need for challenging conversations on contentious topics. The interview, which scrutinized Coates' portrayal of the Israel-Palestine conflict in his book 'The Message', was seen by some at CBS as biased. Redstone made her comments during an Advertising Week panel, highlighting the importance of providing platforms for diverse voices. CBS has brought in a DEI strategist to address staff concerns, but Dokoupil will not face further repercussions and continues in his role.