But some union leaders seemed to seek to toe the line. The leaders of SAG-AFTRA, which represents approximately 160,000 actors, acknowledged that the settlement \u201caddresses some of our deep concerns about production levels and investment in U.S. production\u201d while also wagging a finger at Paramount.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope that the process of engaging with the attorneys general has impressed upon them the fact that in addition to collective bargaining, our members rely on the law to help protect our interests,\u201d the union\u2019s statement said. \u201cThese are the lowest standards that our employers must meet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Others were more downbeat and direct.<\/p>\n
In one striking example, Connecticut\u2019s attorney general, William Tong, a Democrat leading one of the states that joined the antitrust lawsuit, said in a statement that he had sought in particular to \u201cprotect the editorial independence of CNN and CBS News.\u201d Paramount agreed, as part of the settlement, to establish a board of journalists to ensure the editorial independence of the two news organizations. But Mr. Tong said that \u201cConnecticut wanted and demanded full divestiture of CNN and CBS News.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am deeply disappointed that we could not do more,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Seth Stern, the chief of advocacy for the Freedom of the Press Foundation, went further, saying in a statement<\/a> that \u201ca Paramount-appointed editorial independence board for CNN and CBS is worthless.\u201d<\/p>\n