New CNN CEO Chris Licht has issued a warning to CNN employees that “more changes” are coming to the network.
The words of caution come after the firing of host Brian Stelter.
“No one is safe or secure right now,” a CNN staffer told Deadline.
“I think people are legitimately sad that Brian is leaving — he was a big presence at the network — but understand that Chris has to put his stamp on the network,” another source told The Hollywood Reporter.
“This is coming from above,” one source told Deadline.
“If this isn’t coming from John Malone directly, it sure represents his thinking with lieutenants doing his bidding.”
Licht said of Stelter’s show, Reliable Sources, “Oliver Darcy will be working on a reimagined ‘Reliable Sources’ newsletter.
“We will be expanding.
“We hope to relaunch in the next few weeks.”
Licht told employees:
“I really appreciate all that Brian has done to build the beat for CNN.
“He’s a great human being and a good person.
“I wish him all the best on his new venture.
“This is a time of change, and I know that it’s unsettling.
“There will be more changes and you might not understand it or like it all.
“Give us some time, see how things develop, and then give us feedback.”
Stelter said after he was fired:
“It was a rare privilege to lead a weekly show focused on the press at a time when it has never been more consequential.”
“Stelter came to CNN from the New York Times as the nation’s top media reporter,” Amy Entelis, CNN’s executive vice president for talent and content development.
“He departs CNN an impeccable broadcaster.
“We are proud of what Brian and his team accomplished over the years, and we’re confident their impact and influence will long outlive the show.”
This is how you try to save your job. Go to a CNN-friendly site and ‘leak’ that you are not getting fired and hope your media friends (like Sharon) come to their rescue.👉 Don Lemon, Jim Acosta Expected to Stay at CNN Despite New, More Neutral Direction https://t.co/3jYGyWdSh5
— Jon Nicosia (@NewsPolitics) August 20, 2022
It is extremely funny how the new head of CNN is running around to GOP offices begging for access and saying that big changes are underway and the vast majority of his staff is just constantly undermining him because they can’t help themselves
— Joe Gabriel Simonson (@SaysSimonson) August 19, 2022
aside from how nakedly partisan cnn’s “reporting” is, the opinion section remains undefeated. this is from some sort of expert who is trying to scare readers by saying the GOP’s new dark turn is attacking the IRS pic.twitter.com/tq7QDGH3MY
— Joe Gabriel Simonson (@SaysSimonson) August 19, 2022
