Rumored CNN sale to ex-CEO Jeff Zucker could put the network under foreign influence - and in legal limbo - as majority of his wealth comes from UAE: 'Another Al Jazeera'

Daily Mail ^ | 7/03/23 | Alex Hammer

[Libloather]

A rumored sale of CNN to its onetime CEO could see the network come under foreign influence as one industry insider has warned much of the money could come from the United Arab Emirates.

Ivan Schlager of Kirkland & Ellis - an expert on foreign influence regulation - made the assertion on Monday, as the network could face being sold by boss David Zaslav and ousted Jeff Zucker emerging as a frontrunner to snap it up.

Just over a year ago, Zucker, who has close business ties Abu Dhabi-based International Media Investments, was forced to resign 15 years into his CNN tenure after the company found he was having a relationship with a fellow staffer.

After the surprise nixing of his replacement, former Late Show boss Chris Licht, the 58-year-old is allegedly ready to take the helm again - by shelling out what could be billions for the struggling news station.

But according to Schlager, such a transaction could prove troublesome, given much of Zucker's money could actually be quiet investments from the Middle Eastern country.

Schlager told news site Semafor how an increasing amount of these high-profile sales have involved funds from either the Saudis or Quataris, often to little attention.

The government of the latter - an oil-rich nation that borders the UAE - already funds Al Jazeera, a global news network that Schlager said could serve as a precursor of what's to come if CNN sells to Zucker to the tune of billions.

Lamenting the prospect of 'another Al Jazeera' to Semafor, Schlager said there was still hope - if Congress blocks the deal over concerns of foreign backing.

He cited how a similar sale of Forbes to Indian investment firm Sun Group has been held for months over such political concerns.

[KC_Conspirator]

Everything you said about AJ is correct.

[usconservative]

You’ve got to be kidding me. Seriously? I’ll have to take your word for it. I don’t really watch TV much anymore (limit it to sports and the occasional series on Nutflix that my girlfriend wants to see) and beyond that, my 55” 4k Samsung Curved TV is nothing more than a picture frame hanging on my wall.

[BobL]

“Everything you said about AJ is correct.”

Thanks, pretty much the same for RT (Russia Today), at least the English Language version. In the past, I’ve challenged people to point out their lies...never do. Most of the time, they’re aggregating news and if something is false, it’s almost always because they’re quoting someone who lied, but, like AJ, they at least tell you who they’re quoting.

[mewzilla]

Update...

Ex-CNN Pres to Take Over UK Conservative Papers Jeff Zucker is back.

Two points...

1) Zuckerberg is just a Deep State stooge.

2) The UK didn't have any conservative papers.

So what's really going on...