CNN Boss Chris Licht warns ‘more changes’ may emerge after Brian Stelter gets the ax

Network president Chris Licht told employees Friday that more changes are coming on CNN — and they may not “like” or “understand” those changes at all.

During an opening meeting Friday morning, Licht addressed the previous day’s dramatic announcement that CNN would end its long-running media analysis on Sunday, as credible sources show and that its star host Brian Stelter will be taken off the network.

“We will continue to cover media stories, including on television, when necessary,” multiple sources confirmed, responding to concerns that CNN might not cover media issues. He further explained that the Trusted Sources newsletter would be re-launched under the direction of reporter Oliver Darcy and “we will expand our coverage.” Licht added of Stelter: “I really appreciate everything Brian has done to build a media beat for CNN. He is a great human being and a good person. I wish him all the best in his new venture.”

Licht acknowledged his internal anger over Selter’s dismissal, telling staff, “This is a time for change, and I know it’s concerning.” However, the CNN chief warned: “There will be more changes and you may not understand or like it all.”

He also asked employees not to judge these future changes: “Give us some time, see how things evolve, and then give us your feedback.”

A CNN spokesperson confirmed Licht’s comments, but added that they did not reflect any specific imminent changes. “We are constantly changing things up and making decisions,” the spokesperson added, referring to Licht’s mention of future changes in former town halls.

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Stelter’s exit is just the latest – and perhaps the most striking – change for CNN since Licht took over the network after former president Jeff Zucker was fired over a romance with his chief lieutenant Alison Goulst, who also left the company.

Most of the modifications made by Yacht were in the form of editorial guidelines: reduce the use of “breaking news” banners on air; use of less partisan terms to describe Trump’s bogus election lies; The return of partisanship on the air.

Reportedly, such changes, seen by many as a way to turn CNN into a more benign sound, were With some internal doubts, especially given recent notes from billionaire John Malone, an influential shareholder in Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.

Right-leaning Liberty Media Malone told CNBC last year that he “would like to see CNN evolve back into the kind of journalism it started with, and already has journalists, which would be unique and refreshing.”

In response, Stelter Wrote In his trusted newsletter, “Obviously the people who say CNN under Zucker lacked real journalism weren’t watching CNN live. My best guess is they’ve been watching chiefs talking and reading columnists complaining about CNN. And yes, I’m engaging John Malone. In this. “

As such, some insiders saw Stelter’s exit as connected to Malone. Everything about this offering refers to John Malone and [Discovery CEO] David Zaslav,” a source familiar with the situation told The Daily Beast on Thursday. “Chris Licht didn’t want to do that.”

Malone responded to the speculation on Thursday E-mail New York times To say he had “nothing to do” with the launch of Stelter and that he wanted the “News” part of CNN to be more centrist, but I’m not directly in control or involved. “

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