Mark Thompson officially took over as CNN CEO this week and quickly dealt with the network attempting to cover the Israel-Hamas conflict that broke out this past weekend.
CNN host Jake Tapper gave his take on new leadership at the network. Tapper expressed optimism that Thompson, who is credited with helping to turn around The New York Times, will be able to lead CNN into a less linear, more digital world.
With Thompson’s arrival, there will likely be changes. Nonetheless, Tapper believes the cable news network has the right man in charge.
“[Thompson] is the guy to get us on to the next; as the plate tectonics are shifting, he is the person that knows how to do that,” Tapper told Mediaite’s The Interview podcast. “That is his jam. He got The New York Times from paper to digital without screwing the paper.
“Going to the paper people and saying, we’re not getting rid of you, we’ll do whatever we need to keep you thriving, don’t worry about that. But we need to also do this. And so the fact that he is in charge makes me think, okay, good. We have somebody who understands that. If anyone’s going to figure it out it’s him.”
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.
