CNN chief legal affairs correspondent Paula Reid has decided not to renew her contract with the network, opting to leave this summer as the proposed takeover of parent company Warner Bros. Discovery by David Ellison's Skydance nears completion. Reid, a prominent legal journalist, informed CNN management of her decision last week, according to a report. She reportedly declined a generous renewal offer due to significant uncertainty surrounding the future of CNN under Ellison's ownership.
Reid, 43, had privately expressed concerns to CNN executives about the pending $111 billion acquisition and its potential impact on the network's operations. While CNN executives made a concerted effort to retain her, they were reportedly unable to provide assurances about the post-merger leadership structure, as they themselves had not been fully informed. Reid's departure would mark the first instance of a major full-time CNN journalist leaving over concerns related to the impending ownership change.
Technology journalist Kara Swisher has also announced she will cease working with CNN once the merger closes, and other journalists are reportedly considering their positions. Questions persist regarding who will ultimately lead CNN following the acquisition.
Reports suggest that CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss is being considered to oversee editorial operations for both CBS News and CNN. However, it remains unclear if this strategy will proceed, especially given recent significant staff changes at CBS News. The New York Times has indicated that Ellison and his deputies are evaluating placing Weiss in charge of CNN, potentially pairing her with a seasoned television executive for operational and financial responsibilities.
CNN star Anderson Cooper has reportedly expressed to colleagues his reluctance to work under Weiss if she is appointed to lead the cable network. CNN CEO Mark Thompson has allegedly informed Paramount officials that he will not share oversight of CNN with another executive. Longtime anchor Jake Tapper recently met privately with Ellison in Los Angeles.
Recent months have seen considerable upheaval at CBS News since Weiss assumed the role of editor-in-chief. Several personnel, including "60 Minutes" executive producer Tanya Simon and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, have been dismissed. Senior executive producer Draggan Mihailovich, veteran producer Guy Campanile, and digital operations chief Matthew Polevoy were also let go. Veteran correspondent Scott Pelley was reportedly fired after confronting Weiss and newly appointed executive producer Nick Bilton regarding the staff changes.
Prior to joining CNN in 2021, Reid spent approximately a decade at CBS News, where she covered the Justice Department and served as a White House correspondent. CNN and Paramount have declined to comment on the report, and attempts to reach Reid for comment were ongoing.