CNN boss Chris Licht recently told The New York Times that he was caught off guard by the amount of “uninformed vitriol” he's faced from the left over his effort to steer the network away from its hyperpartisan image.
In May, Licht officially became CNN's president, and he wasted no time before implementing major staffing and programming changes, triggering outcries of panic from the left.
“The uninformed vitriol, especially from the left, has been stunning,” Licht told the Times. “Which proves my point: so much of what passes for news is name-calling, half-truths and desperation.”
Instead, Licht told the Times that he wanted the network to offer a “rational conversation about polarizing issues,” adding that he hoped viewers would “take what they've heard to the dinner table and have a discussion.”
“That's a dream of mine,” Licht said.
“I want CNN to be essential to society,” Licht told the Times. “If you're essential then the revenue will follow.”
Since taking over the network Licht has decided to shift former primetime host Don Lemon to a morning talk show while other network pundits like Brian Stelter and Chris Cillizza got the axe.
Remaining network employees also seem to have incrementally shifted away from over-the-head attacks on Republicans, however, they still undoubtedly remain biased. The small rhetoric change marks a shift in what the network had devolved into over the years which was more akin to reality television than any trustworthy reporting.
However, while Licht's big ideas for CNN are still a long way from being realized the network says he doesn't plan to stray from his current course of action — even if the left isn't happy about it.
“Maybe it won't work,” Mr. Licht said. “But I'd rather try to win this way.”
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Still waiting for a truthful report on hunter’s laptop, maybe throw in a report on consequences of all the illegal border crossings, you know like what it’s costing taxpayers every day? I’ll stop there don’t want to overwhelm your so-called journalist. IMO
Well said!! Don’t hold your breath waiting for any significant change(s).
Well said? Then why, oh why, do many of out here in fly-over-country are not holding our breath? It ain’t going to happen…
Truth, justice, and the American way just doesn’t go over well with liberals.
Ask Elon Musk and see if he agrees.
Please,please stop calling lusting for big government control “liberals”! Nothing liberal about big federal D Party power( or unfortunately federal corrupt R party leaders). Liberal politically means freedom from govt tyranny. Stop complimenting these attackers of freedom through federal government expansion and thus control of citizens. Not liberal what big D party has done federally in last 50 years. Bigger federal government = less freedom by definition. Not liberal
Actually very true. The democrat party is not controlled by actual liberals anymore. It is controlled by leftists, socialists, marxists that want complete control over every aspect of our lives. Liberals are actually conservative in nature. What they label “far right” these days was the center of politics not very long ago. They have moved the goalposts so many times to the left, and are not reflective of the mainstream, but of the most vocal and demanding small percentage of our society.
This I gotta see…
“Uninformed vitriol from the left”….that is the most accurate description I have ever heard from CNN.