Paula Reid, CNN's chief legal affairs correspondent, is leaving the network after deciding not to renew her contract, which expires this summer. According to Variety, Reid cited uncertainty surrounding the expected corporate takeover of CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, by Paramount Skydance.
Departure Details
Two sources familiar with the matter told Variety that Reid had the opportunity to renew her contract but chose not to. The media outlet Status provided additional details, reporting that Reid was given a generous offer but no assurances about the future editorial direction of the network. Reid, an attorney, joined CNN in 2021 as a senior legal affairs correspondent. She covered Supreme Court decisions on Tuesday but did not discuss her job status. CNN declined to comment on the reports.
Corporate Takeover Concerns
The pending purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance is nearing completion, raising alarms at CNN. Journalists at the network fear a shift toward conservative priorities similar to changes that occurred after Paramount's earlier purchase of CBS. The New York Times reported that Bari Weiss, current CBS News editor-in-chief, could be installed as a boss at CNN as well. Weiss's reported influence on "60 Minutes" and the "CBS Evening News" has led to personnel departures and criticism.
Reid had "candid conversations" about her "discomfort" with the pending takeover before making her decision. Anderson Cooper, CNN's top star, has reportedly told colleagues he does not want to work for Weiss. Paramount Skydance Chair David Ellison, a friend of President Donald Trump, could complete the transaction soon, though Britain's culture secretary has indicated she might challenge the deal.
