
<p>It almost seemed inevitable after CNN was purchased by media mogul David Zaslav – whose media empire is the Warner/Discovery conglomerate. ; Controversial media critic Brian Stelter would be shown the door.</p>



<p>It was widely rumored that the new owners believed that CNN’s plunge in viewership was due to becoming to politicized – tracking too far to the left. ; Reports state that John Malone – a major investor in Warner/Discovery &#8212; was a significant influence in changing the direction of CNN.</p>



<p>As one of the more strident left-wing voices on CNN, there was immediate conjecture in the industry that Stelter would be booted. ; It comes as no surprise.</p>



<p>In addition to firing Stelter, CNN management cancelled his show, “Reliable Sources” –at least for the time being. ; That leaves FOX News’ “Media Buzz” with Howard Kurtz as the only show on cable news focused on critiquing the media.</p>



<p>The canning of Stelter is not the end of changes at CNN. ; CEO Chris Licht told staffers that there would be more to come as the network tries to turn around its freefall ratings by moving reporting away from the doctrinaire left. ; That will not be swift or an easy job since the lean to the far left is fully integrated without the workforce – and still popular among some remaining viewers.</p>



<p>Zaslav, Malone and Licht avoid using philosophic terms to explain their new policies. ; Rather they call it “a return to traditional journalism.” ; ;</p>



<p>Some of the anchors, producers and guests have shown evidence of the shift. ; There are more stories and more guests who represent a more conservative viewpoint. ; Some, however, may not be able to adjust – and they will have to go if the new management is to be successful in repositioning the network. ; ;</p>



<p>If Licht were to ask my advice – and he will not – I would tell him that he needs a new lineup for the morning show to compete with both MSNBC on the far far left and FOX on the right. ; The surly Jim Acosta and the whiny Don Lemon would also have to go. ; There are others.</p>



<p>How to restructure the networks depends on whether CNN’s best shot is taking viewers from FOX or MSNBC. ; Maybe both.</p>



<p>Obviously, a shift to the right would have more appeal among conservative and independent views. ; But there is anecdotal evidence that MSNBC is losing those on the not-so-far left. ; I have an increasing number of liberal friends who have abandoned MSNBC because of the constant drum beating on a few narrow one-sided issues. ; Moving to CNN would be an easier jump than to FOX.</p>



<p>CNN dumped its superstar Chris Cuomo – ostensibly over integrity and accusations of inappropriate behavior. But there also seemed to be an unspoken desire by the new management to drop him for other reasons.</p>



<p>Stelter is the first major casualty of the new regime at CNN – but not likely to be the last. ; And that is a good thing.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

CNN’s Brian Stelter is canceled
