What's happened
CBS News is exploring options for a new anchor for its evening broadcast amid ongoing leadership changes. Gutman, ABC's chief national correspondent, is a candidate, though his contract and lack of anchor experience pose challenges. The search reflects CBS's broader restructuring under new leadership.
What's behind the headline?
The choice of Gutman signals CBS's unorthodox approach under Weiss, prioritizing personal connections and reporting style over traditional experience. While Gutman’s international credentials are strong, his lack of anchoring background makes him an unlikely immediate fit for the flagship evening news. This move may be more about signaling change than a practical appointment. The broader context suggests CBS is testing new leadership styles and candidate pools, including high-profile journalists from rival networks, to redefine its news identity. The decision will likely influence CBS’s future direction, emphasizing bold, unconventional leadership that aligns with Weiss’s reformist agenda. The potential appointment also underscores the shifting landscape of television news, where personality and reporting style are increasingly valued over traditional credentials.
What the papers say
The NY Post reports that CBS is considering Gutman, ABC's chief national correspondent, for the anchor role, highlighting his international reporting background and the unorthodox nature of the choice. The article notes that Gutman remains under contract with Disney-owned ABC, making the move unlikely. Meanwhile, the NY Post also details CBS's ongoing search for a successor to John Dickerson, with internal candidates like Tony Dokoupil and O’Donnell, as well as external figures from Fox News and CNN, being considered. The Washington Post adds that CBS's senior White House reporter Ed O’Keefe and CBS contributor Olivia Reingold were present at recent events, indicating the network’s focus on high-profile journalism. Contrasting opinions suggest that CBS’s move to consider Gutman reflects a broader shift towards unconventional leadership, while critics may see it as a risky gamble that could undermine traditional journalistic standards. Overall, the coverage illustrates a network in flux, experimenting with new faces and approaches amid leadership upheaval.
How we got here
CBS is seeking a successor for John Dickerson, who is leaving by year's end. The network's new editor-in-chief, Weiss, has taken a hands-on approach to revamp the news division, including the search for a high-profile anchor. Gutman, known for international reporting, is an unconventional candidate, possibly favored due to personal ties and recent reporting on Israel.
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Bari Weiss is an American opinion writer and editor. From 2013 until 2017 she was an op-ed and book review editor at The Wall Street Journal. From 2017 to 2020, Weiss was an op-ed staff editor and writer about culture and politics at The New York Times.
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CBS News is the news division of the American television and radio broadcaster CBS. It is headquartered in New York City. Along with ABC News and NBC News, it has long been among the big three broadcast news networks in the United States.
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