The WarnerMedia-Discovery merger is all done, and now CEO David Zaslav is ready to make changes to the new networks acquired, including CNN. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey at a theater on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, Calif., Zaslav dived into questions regarding the future of CNN.
He stated that his vision for the cable news channel is to concentrate on the facts and set itself apart from a cable-news industry that Zaslav conveys is monopolized by “advocacy networks.”
“If we get that, we can have a civilized society,” Zaslav said to Winfrey. “And without it, if it all becomes advocacy, we don’t have a civilized society.”
This year, CNN has seen its previous president Jeff Zucker, resign after failing to disclose a consensual relationship with a fellow CNN executive. With the departure of Zucker, the network will have an incoming leader, Chris Licht. He will begin his new position with CNN next month.
“I’m honored to have this opportunity, especially at such an important time for our country and the world,” Licht said in February when named to the position.
“CNN has a rich and storied legacy and I both promise to uphold it and build upon it. I am eternally grateful to Stephen Colbert and the peerless Late Show team for an unforgettable run. I am looking forward to returning to my journalism roots.”
It will be interesting to see how Licht implements Zaslav’s vision for CNN beginning in May.
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
