Katie Couric: CBS Replacing Norah O’Donnell with 2 Men is ‘Out of Touch’

Katie Couric has publicly criticized CBS News, labeling the network’s recent decision to have two male anchors replace Norah O’Donnell on “CBS Evening News” as “out of touch.” In an opinion piece for the New York Times, Couric expressed her disappointment over the announcement that John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois will take over as hosts.

Couric, a distinguished journalist and former anchor herself, acknowledged her respect for both men but questioned the appropriateness of their appointments, especially given the current political climate and CBS’s commitment to increasing the presence of women in leadership roles. “It’s odd and more than a little out of touch that even while CBS has announced a restructuring that introduces an additional layer of women executives, the leading editorial decision makers will mostly be men,” she observed.

Norah O’Donnell revealed her decision to step down as lead anchor of “CBS Evening News” in July, with plans to transition to a different role after the November elections. O’Donnell made history as the third female solo anchor of a network evening newscast, following in the footsteps of Diane Sawyer and Couric herself.

In a recent announcement, CBS News and Stations appointed Adrienne Roark as president of editorial and newsgathering, along with Jennifer Mitchell as president of stations and digital. These changes were part of a broader organizational restructuring aimed at advancing CBS News.

Wendy McMahon, CEO of CBS News and Stations, characterized the changes as a pivotal moment for the organization, stating, “Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we write the future of CBS News and Stations.” This restructuring is designed to strengthen the company’s future in news reporting.

Roark’s new role comes as she takes over editorial leadership from Ingrid Ciprián-Matthews, who will now serve as a senior editorial adviser. Additionally, longtime executive Terri Stewart has been appointed as senior vice president of newsgathering, while Wendy Fisher also ascends to senior vice president of editorial.

In her op-ed, Couric argued that significant societal events—such as the upcoming Paris Olympics where women athletes will compete in equal numbers as men and Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign—highlight the importance of diversity in journalism. The potential for a groundbreaking election, which could result in the election of the first woman president and the first woman of color as president, necessitates a diverse group of journalists to cover it adequately.

Despite Margaret Brennan contributing stories from CBS’s Washington bureau, Couric noted that “the two people who will be greeting Americans watching the CBS evening newscast will be men.” This reinforces her argument about the lack of female representation in key positions.

Couric, who served as the face of “CBS Evening News” from 2006 to 2011, expressed her desire to be a role model for young viewers. “I wanted to inspire a generation of young boys and girls watching her at dinnertime,” she reflected on her earlier experience.

Diversity in leadership roles is crucial, according to Couric, as it cultivates a broader understanding of who can effectively serve in these positions. She recalled how, during her time at CBS, she encountered instances of subtle sexism in reporting from her male colleagues, emphasizing the need for diverse perspectives.

Couric suggested that CBS may have opted for the straightforward choice of appointing Dickerson and DuBois since they are already on the payroll. In a media landscape grappling with declining viewership and revenues, such considerations often influence hiring decisions. However, she urged the industry not to overlook the significant societal changes affecting contemporary journalism.

Couric concluded by emphasizing that even an industry facing challenges must adapt to reflect the evolving societal landscape.

Source: USA TODAY