CNN journalist Paula Reid is reportedly leaving the MS NOW network, and it seems her decision is influenced by concerns over the company’s acquisition by Paramount Skydance, according to a Variety report. Reid has decided not to renew her contract with CNN, and sources claim that the network’s future appears quite uncertain.
The report also highlights Reid’s worries about the possibility of David Ellison, CEO of Paramount, taking the reins at CNN, along with CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss stepping into a key role. This situation has caused quite a stir within the network.
In particular, there are indications that Paramount views Weiss as a potential successor for managing CNN, a prospect that has raised eyebrows due to her controversial public image.
Reid, who joined CNN in 2021 after serving as a White House correspondent for CBS News, hasn’t received confirmation from either CNN or MS NOW about her departure. An MS NOW spokesperson noted that they typically do not comment on personnel issues, though they did praise Reid’s reporting abilities.
Meanwhile, CNN has remained tight-lipped, opting not to comment on the matter either. Earlier reports suggested that the atmosphere at CNN is tense, particularly as Warner Bros. Discovery prepares to sell off its assets to Paramount. Insiders have hinted at the possibility of talent leaving CNN ahead of the acquisition.
Concerns among CNN staff go beyond just job security; there are fears about “editorial indifference” should a merger occur with CBS News. Many insiders expressed that the potential for job losses weighed heavily in their minds, with some predicting a dire future if the networks combine.
Several CNN personalities have spoken out against the expected merger, including Kara Swisher, who has voiced intentions to leave the network. Veteran journalist Christiane Amanpour also expressed her apprehensions about the incoming leadership in a recent discussion, reflecting on past issues faced by CBS News.
With so many uncertainties swirling, it’s evident that the changes brewing within these networks are leaving many in journalism questioning what the future holds.
