Overview
- Speaking on a Feb. 17 podcast, O'Donnell called recent shifts at CBS News "challenging" and said colleagues are fearful about what the future holds.
- The unease follows Bari Weiss's October appointment as editor-in-chief after Paramount Skydance acquired her outlet, The Free Press.
- Editorial tensions flared when Weiss pulled a 60 Minutes segment on El Salvador's CECOT prison in December; a correspondent alleged political motives, while CBS said more reporting was needed before it aired on Jan. 18.
- Personnel moves continue, with 60 Minutes correspondent Anderson Cooper announcing on Feb. 16 that he is leaving after nearly two decades, citing family reasons.
- Further churn includes Tony Dokoupil being named anchor of CBS Evening News, John Dickerson announcing his departure, and producer Alicia Hastey resigning while criticizing leadership's editorial expectations.