CBS News has dismissed a senior producer from its flagship evening newscast, a move that has left staff members distressed and deepened concerns over the network's direction under its new ownership. The firing comes during a turbulent first week for the programme's newly installed anchor, Tony Dokoupil.
Senior Producer Dismissed Amid Internal Clash
Javier Guzman, a senior broadcast producer who had been with the CBS Evening News for almost ten years, was reportedly let go following disagreements with the show's executive producer, Kim Harvey. The news, first reported by The Wrap, has sent shockwaves through the newsroom.
Sources described Guzman as a "highly respected guy," with his dismissal leaving some colleagues "in tears." The rationale behind the decision was initially unclear, leading to significant confusion amongst staff. Guzman had only been promoted to the senior role in August of last year, a move that predated the controversial appointment of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of the news division.
A Network in Transition Under New Ownership
The firing is the latest in a series of upheavals at CBS News since its parent company, Paramount, was purchased by billionaire David Ellison, a known ally of former President Donald Trump, last year. The subsequent hiring of Bari Weiss, who has been tasked with an "anti-woke" overhaul of the news division, has been a major point of contention and anxiety within the legacy media outlet.
This internal strife coincides with the debut of new evening anchor Tony Dokoupil, who took over the chair this week from previous anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois. Dokoupil's first broadcast, which featured segments on high-profile figures in the Trump administration, did see a nine percent ratings increase. However, CBS remains a distant third in the evening news race behind rivals ABC and NBC.
Controversy and Criticism for New Anchor
Dokoupil's launch has been far from smooth. His first show was hit by a significant technical error where his teleprompter appeared to be set to the wrong segment, a clip of which went viral on social media. Furthermore, his editorial choices have drawn sharp criticism.
Independent journalist Oliver Darcy reported that multiple CBS insiders view the network as a "total disaster," led by people intent on steering coverage into "far friendlier waters for the Trump administration." Dokoupil's glowing profile of Secretary of State Marco Rubio was described by Darcy as an "extraordinary editorial decision."
The anchor has also launched a costly "Live from America" tour, for which CBS leased a private jet, aiming to connect with viewers outside traditional media hubs. Insiders have labelled the effort "deeply inauthentic," particularly in light of Dokoupil's introductory statement criticising mainstream media for catering to elites.
With staff morale reportedly low and the network's historic left-leaning audience facing a stark new direction, the dismissal of Javier Guzman seems unlikely to quell the growing sense of crisis at one of America's most storied news organisations.
