It would be well to add to this overall scenario the liberal bias in book publishing of Viacom's subsidiaries and one would come up with a heavily weighted bias to the left.
For a spokesman to say that the Viacom Board does not get involved with the News Department is like saying a responsible parent does not get involved with a child who throws away his/her allowance. One can be sure that when CBS' profits are not what they should be or are projected to be... the Board will be involved.
What the spokesman was probably inferring is that the Board does not get involved in every day decisions on news that is broadcast.
The bosses are more concerned that they will lose their FCC licenses. This stuff is very low level for them.
"Rather lied? Well stonewall until we start losing revenue then dump him and that b*&^$h producer of his."
Then they have drinks at 21 and go their merry way.