Andrew Siegel – Cox Media Group

In an era defined by misinformation, technological disruption, and evolving audience habits, Andrew J. Siegel stands as a quiet but formidable force behind one of the country’s most influential media organizations. As senior vice president and associate general counsel for business and legal affairs at Cox Media Group (CMG), Siegel’s job is not just about navigating contracts and compliance—it’s about defending the pillars of journalism, especially those who bring trusted local news to millions of Americans each day.

Andrew Siegel | Cox Media Group | Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel – Business and Legal Affairs

“I want to make sure we’re right,” Siegel says. “Being right is more important than being first. That’s a company policy—and my philosophy.”

Cox Media Group operates a powerful portfolio of television, radio, and digital media properties across the United States. Known for its award-winning local newscasts and deep community ties, CMG owns and operates 11 television stations and 54 radio stations in 15 major U.S. markets. While the media landscape continues to shift under the weight of digital platforms, CMG remains committed to providing factual, timely, and community-centered reporting—an effort Siegel plays a crucial role in supporting.

After over three decades with CBS—including a tenure as senior vice president and associate general counsel for its owned-and-operated stations—Siegel joined CMG in 2022. A conversation with CMG’s general counsel, Eric Dodson Greenberg, changed everything. “When I started talking with Eric and learning about the culture at CMG, it reminded me of what CBS was in its heyday. There was this strong sense of community both inside and outside the company, recognition, and appreciation of the work people do, which you don’t always find in corporate environments.”

That family-like culture is more than a perk—it’s central to CMG’s identity. According to Siegel, monthly leadership meetings often include birthday and anniversary shoutouts and recognition of individual achievements.

“It’s a really nice touch, and people feel it,” he says. “It’s the kind of place where you want to do your best work.”

Protecting the front line

Siegel’s day-to-day work is vast—he jokes that his docket contains a hundred open items, and he hopes to get through ten on a good day—but among his most meaningful responsibilities is defending CMG’s journalists from legal threats that could hinder their ability to report freely and accurately.

“My reporters deserve good lawyering,” he says.

From defamation concerns and public records litigation to training sessions on where journalists can film and what they can post online, Siegel is on the front lines, ensuring CMG’s reporters are both protected and prepared.

“I do periodic training at all of our stations,” he explains. “We go over the law and apply it to what they see in the field daily. We discuss their experiences covering everything from newsgathering issues to social media, open records laws and defamation.”

His trainings aren’t theoretical—they’re rooted in decades of real-world experience, including early-career litigation and FCC regulatory work.

“Having been a litigator, I use those skills to help our reporters avoid litigation in the first place. And it allows me to break apart contracts and rebuild them better,” he says.

Siegel is also prepared to escalate matters when necessary. He doesn’t hesitate to litigate when public agencies fail to respond to Freedom of Information Act requests.

“Part of my job is to run interference,” he says. “When we don’t get a timely response, we get involved.” And that goes for the entire newsgathering process. “I want to be called in sooner rather than later—the earlier I’m involved, the better.”

Advocating for integrity

The journalism industry has long been subject to stricter rules than many other forms of communication, and Siegel is well aware of the imbalance. Traditional media outlets like television stations can be held legally accountable for false or misleading statements, while social media platforms often evade similar consequences. In his view, this disparity poses a serious challenge to fair and responsible journalism.

Despite the uneven playing field, Siegel remains optimistic about the enduring value of local news. He believes that over time, audiences will naturally gravitate back to reliable sources, especially those rooted in their own communities. For him, the trustworthiness of a local reporter or anchor offers something that social platforms cannot replicate.

Siegel’s legal approach is closely aligned with the mission of Cox Media Group: to pursue the truth, respect the facts, and act with integrity. He emphasizes that legal standards haven’t changed just because the landscape has. Defamation law, for instance, still holds firm, regardless of how information is shared.

In an era of widespread misinformation and growing skepticism toward the media, Siegel sees the legal department’s role as essential to preserving credibility. The company is meticulous in its fact-checking and editorial review processes, operating with a mindset that balances caution with confidence. Trust, in this environment, isn’t automatic—it’s earned through consistency, accuracy, and a strong legal foundation.

Technology, AI & beyond

While Siegel is deeply rooted in the principles of journalism and legal precedent, he’s also at the forefront of modernizing CMG’s operations. He sits on the company’s AI Committee, a cross-functional group tasked with evaluating and implementing artificial intelligence solutions throughout the organization.

“We’re covering everything,” he says. “AI can impact every part of the company—from finance to reporters to creative services. We have to be very cautious about what we do and what we put out there.”

Siegel raises concerns about the undisclosed use of AI in media production.

“One of the trends we’re seeing is production houses using AI voices and not disclosing it. That’s a big problem,” he says. “Anytime someone wants to use AI, it comes to our committee, and we investigate it.”

He draws parallels between AI and previous waves of innovation. TV stations provided much of the early programming when cable first came along. Same with the internet.

“Now the AI companies want our content to train on—but why should we give it away to improve them?” Siegel asks.

His stance is firm: “I don’t want AI writing our news stories. We’re making sure our reporters know the risks and verify everything.”

Even tools meant to help streamline legal processes, like Luminance and NetDocs, are implemented thoughtfully.

“We’ve modernized our contract management so business units can track things easily,” he says. “But at the same time, we never lose sight of the human oversight needed to protect our company and its mission.”

More than a job

Siegel’s path to media law began in Staten Island, where he once helped bring cable access to his neighborhood. While at the Cardozo School of Law, he wrote his first published article on cable television pole attachment regulation. After graduating from law school and clerking for a year, he spent time in litigation before moving into FCC regulatory and media-focused work. Eventually, he found his home at CBS, where he remained for 33 years.

Today, his office at CMG is never quiet. With stations in every U.S. time zone, Siegel frequently answers questions well past midnight and on weekends.

“When it’s 11 p.m. in Seattle, it’s 2 a.m. in New York,” he says. “You must be prepared and available. It’s part of the job.”

And despite the long hours, he remains energized. More than anything, Siegel sees his work as vital to preserving an informed society.

“No matter what we do, the government will always dislike the press. There will always be efforts to pressure the media. Part of my job is ensuring the people who report the facts can keep doing so—safely, confidently, and accurately.”
For Siegel, the mission is clear: protect the storytellers, champion the facts, and continue to ensure that truth has a place on air.