OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
The partisan hosts at CNN could be in for a rude awakening very soon as the network is headed back towards a hard-news stance.
That is the report from journalist Jon Nicosia, the former head of Mediaite, who said that executives at Discovery, which is merging with CNN, want to steer away from the hosts expressing a partisan viewpoint.
“SOURCE: John Malone, Discovery’s board member will ‘play a huge role in the new organization’s plans to return @CNN to its news channel roots and dismantle the partisan organization Zucker shifted it into’ They continue: ‘This will mean a large realignment of staff,’” he said in a tweet.
“SOURCE UPDATE: ‘Malone is using CNN’s coverage of Ukraine as an example of the news network he wants back. Excellent journalists, covering events without partisan peacocking,’” he said.
This week he updated the story with more news from his source who said they expect hosts to be shown the door by the end of Spring.
“SOURCE: This ‘realignment’ will start with @CNN Anchors. One (who was very close with Zucker) and will have a hard time transitioning away from opinion will ‘be out by the end of Spring,’” he said.
This comes after the ouster of former CNN head Jeff Zucker who purportedly resigned after a sexual affair with a staffer was discovered.
He penned a memo to his staff announcing his resignation and said it involved the investigation into former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo.
“As part of the investigation into Chris Cuomo’s tenure at CNN, I was asked about a consensual relationship with my closest colleague, someone I have worked with for more than 20 year,” he said.
“I acknowledged the relationship evolved in recent years. I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn’t. I was wrong.
“As a result, I am resigning today,” the now former CNN president said.
“I came to CNN on January 28, 2013. Together, we had nine great years. I certainly wish my tenure here had ended differently. But it was an amazing run. And I loved every minute.
“I am grateful to the thousands of incredibly talented CNN and Turner Sports employees who helped make this such a joy for me, and such a success for all of us. I wish each of you nothing but the best in the years ahead,” he said.
The unnamed colleague named herself in her own statement.
“Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years,” Allison Gollust, the Executive VP and Chief Marketing Officer, CNN Worldwide, who is now leaving CNN, said. “Recently, our relationship changed during COVID. I regret that we didn’t disclose it at the right time.
“I’m incredibly proud of my time at CNN and look forward to continuing the great work we do every day,” she said.
As far as who the host is that is close to him and is believed to not be able to transition into hard news, there are two distinct possibilities, The Western Journal reported.
“Nicosia’s source could be referring to Brian Stelter or Don Lemon, both of whom were thought to be close with Zucker during his tenure at the network,” it said.
“Both Stelter and Lemon have languished in the ratings dungeons in comparison to their peers since the start of 2021,” it said.
It also noted that many CNN segments include the hosts attacking Fox News for its coverage of various topics.
CNN has also been besieged by scandals, with former host Chris Cuomo, the brother of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, having to leave the network after it was discovered that he was helping his brother during his own sex scandal.
And a former CNN producer was arrested on federal sex trafficking and pedophilia charges last year.
