It has been just over a month since CNN CEO Chris Licht was fired after a disastrous profile in The Atlantic questioned his ability to lead the company going forward. CNN anchor Jake Tapper said the feeling at the network has been the opposite of doom and gloom.
In an interview with Kara Swisher for her On podcast, Tapper shared he was disappointed Licht’s tenure came to an abrupt end.
“I’m not here to judge whether the firing was the right thing to do. I’m bummed that it didn’t work out with Chris. I am,” admitted Tapper. “I’m bummed that it didn’t work out. But I will say that things are really good right now.”
He then added that the feels a close connection to the executives who place in charge of the network in Licht’s stead, so he couldn’t be unbiased about the current state of CNN.
“Take what I’m saying with a grain of salt,” Tapper said. “I think they’re doing a great job and the focus is back our journalism, not on palace intrigue and not on media criticism. And morale hasn’t been better in years.”
Tapper then was asked if the failings of Licht prove there isn’t an appetite for straight-down-the-middle news coverage.
“I think there is. That’s what I watch. That’s what I want to watch. I don’t want to watch anything else, and I do think most Americans feel that way,” he said. “It’s just that most Americans aren’t news junkies, and the ones who are, when there isn’t a big news story, might like, especially in prime time, putting on their team jerseys and rooting for their side. I think that’s certainly possible. But that’s not a long-term play. That’s a short-term business decision.
