Shari Redstone Defends CBS Mornings Host Tony Dokoupil Over Ta-Nehisi Coates Interview

Shari Redstone, the influential media figure overseeing the Paramount conglomerate that includes CBS News, has publicly defended CBS Mornings host Tony Dokoupil against criticism from CBS News executives. The controversy arose from a recent interview with author Ta-Nehisi Coates, where Dokoupil questioned Coates' views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

During the interview, Dokoupil compared sections of Coates' new book, 'The Message,' to extremist writings, stating that 'the content of that section would not be out of place in the backpack of an extremist.' This comment drew criticism from CBS News' standards and practices department and its race and culture unit, leading to a reprimand of Dokoupil during an editorial call with staff on Monday.

However, Redstone disagreed with the network's handling of the situation. In a statement at Advertising Week New York, she praised Dokoupil's handling of the interview, saying, 'I think Tony did a great job with that interview. I think he handled himself and showed the world a role model of what civil discourse is, that he showed that there was accountability, that there is a system of checks and balances, and frankly, I was very proud of the work that he did.'

Redstone's comments have added to the turmoil within CBS News. The network's president and CEO, Wendy McMahon, and her top deputy Adrienne Roark had criticized Dokoupil's behavior during the editorial call, asserting that his actions did not meet the network's editorial guidelines. Despite this, Redstone maintained that Dokoupil's questioning was appropriate and necessary for civil discourse.

The controversy has highlighted ongoing tensions within CBS News regarding Middle East coverage. Dokoupil, who is Jewish and has two children living with his ex-wife in Israel, was cordial during the interview but repeatedly questioned Coates about his approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Coates countered by emphasizing his focus on those without a voice in the conflict.

Redstone's support for Dokoupil has been seen as an extraordinary rebuke of CBS News leadership. She has long been a supporter of Israel and has worked to combat antisemitism. Her comments suggest a desire to promote better education on challenging people in a civil manner, which she believes Dokoupil exemplified during the interview.

The situation remains complex, with some employees expressing concern over Dokoupil's conduct and others defending his approach as fair and necessary. Despite the internal discord, CBS News has continued to stand by its commitment to asking tough questions on complex issues.

As Paramount Global prepares to merge with Skydance Media, Redstone's oversight of CBS News is likely coming to an end soon. However, her remarks on this issue underscore her commitment to journalistic integrity and her belief in the importance of civil discourse in media.

In summary, Shari Redstone's defense of Tony Dokoupil highlights the ongoing challenges within CBS News regarding editorial standards and the handling of sensitive topics like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.