Headline RoundupJune 7th, 2023

Chris Licht Out as CNN CEO

Summary from the AllSides News Team

Chris Licht is stepping down as CNN's (Lean Left bias) CEO, a little over a year after taking the job.

The Details: The move was reported Wednesday morning by multiple sources. Licht will be replaced by CNN executive Amy Entelis for the interim, who previously served alongside former CEO Jeff Zucker.

For Context: Questions around Licht's job security grew following the network's town hall with Trump and an Atlantic (Left) article detailing internal tensions at the company since Licht took over. After Licht was picked to succeed Zucker in February 2022, reports emerged that CNN was making efforts to be more nonpartisan. AllSides changed CNN's rating from Left to Lean Left in March 2023 following a Blind Bias Survey and two Editorial Reviews.

Key Quotes: "I fully recognize that this news cycle and my role in it overshadowed the incredible week of reporting that we just had, and distracted from the work of every single journalist in this org," Licht reportedly told staffers on a Monday morning call. "And for that, I am sorry."

How the Media Covered It: Sources across the spectrum covered the news as a top story Wednesday. CNBC (Center) said Licht's tenure "was riddled with programming missteps and rock-bottom ratings." HuffPost (Left) called him "embattled." Fox News (Right) said Licht "failed to turn around the long-troubled news network."

Featured Coverage of this Story

More headline roundups

AllSides Picks

More News about Media Industry from the Left, Center and Right

From the Left

From the Center

From the Right