# David Ellison's CNN Board Search

> David Ellison seeks five independent journalists for CNN and CBS editorial oversight board amid antitrust settlement.
- Title: David Ellison's CNN Board Search · Vanity Fair | Shortify
- Summary: David Ellison seeks five independent journalists for CNN and CBS editorial oversight board amid antitrust settlement. David Ellison is appointing five…
- Keywords: david ellison, cnn, cbs news, skydance, editorial oversight board, antitrust lawsuit, warner bros discovery, charles forelle, bari weiss, walters isaacson, jim bell, kara swisher
- Source: Vanity Fair — https://vanityfair.com/story/david-ellison-skydance-cnn-cbs-editorial-independence-board
- Author: Maxwell Adler
- Published: 2026-10-15T11:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: david ellison, cnn, cbs news, skydance, editorial oversight board, antitrust lawsuit, warner bros discovery, charles forelle, bari weiss, walters isaacson, jim bell, kara swisher
## David Ellison's New Board
Skydance chairman David Ellison seeks five respected journalists for CNN and CBS editorial oversight board under antitrust settlement.
## Board Requirements
The board must include five journalists with at least 10 years experience, no more than two sharing political affiliation, and no party declarations.
## Political Balance Challenge
Finding journalists willing to identify with political parties risks alienating many professionals who see their identity as separate from politics.
## Charles Forelle's Role
Charles Forelle, a former Wall Street Journal reporter now working under Bari Weiss at CBS News, is burdened with finding board members.
## Potential Candidates
Names being floated include Andrew Lack, Jim Bell, Kara Swisher, and Walter Isaacson, though none have been approached yet.
## Timeline for Appointments
Skydance has until April 4, 2027, to make its board appointments.
## Board's Purpose
The board was created to separate Ellison’s personal politics from CNN’s journalism following antitrust settlement.
## Criticism of Board Design
Experts say the political requirement undermines the board’s independence and may deter qualified candidates.
## Potential Impact
The board could invite government interference in journalism if it fails to maintain independence.
## Connecticut AG's View
Connecticut attorney general William Tong wanted full divestiture of CNN and CBS News but settled for a compromise.
## Next Steps
Skydance must appoint board members by April 4, 2027, or face legal consequences.
## Key takeaway

David Ellison is appointing five respected journalists to a CNN and CBS editorial oversight board to address antitrust concerns.