Listen to Fox News articles: Veteran CNN International anchor Christiane Amanpour has announced her upcoming departure from the network, scheduled for next summer, following over four decades of service.
According to a memo from CNN CEO Mark Thompson, “After more than 43 years at CNN, Christiane has decided that the time is right to begin a new chapter.” Early in 2027, Amanpour plans to reduce her CNN International program, ‘Amanpour,’ to a once-weekly schedule. Her show will conclude in May, and she will officially leave CNN at the end of June.
Thompson shared that Amanpour’s decision had been carefully considered and had been discussed between them for several months. “Like so many CNNers who will hear the news today, I’m very sorry to see her go, but I’ve come to accept that this is the right time for her, both personally and professionally,” he stated.
Christiane Amanpour warned about CBS’s challenges amid CNN’s potential corporate changes.
Amanpour, in an on-air address, expressed gratitude to her viewers and acknowledged the “pressures” faced by her CNN colleagues. “Now, you know I’ve always been fiercely independent, and I will continue to be that for you for as long as I am here and beyond,” she commented. Highlighting today’s significant challenges, Amanpour mentioned pressures from political, financial sectors and rising field dangers. She pledged to always support CNN’s tradition of independent journalism.
She emphasized, “Always be truthful, not neutral,” in a written statement.
Her announcement surprised many CNN staff, who regard Amanpour as a foundational figure at the network. Some staff called her “the heart and soul of this company” but recognized her capability to continue making an impact in journalism without CNN. A colleague remarked that while Amanpour is synonymous with CNN, she’s also larger than the brand itself.
The departure of the 68-year-old journalist highlights her admired status among CNN and liberal media circles. However, Amanpour has also encountered criticism. She has frequently rejected neutrality claims in journalism, advocating that truth must always be the guiding principle.
Addressing Columbia Journalism School graduates in 2023, she stated, “Both-siderism — on the one hand, on the other hand — is not always objectivity. It does not get you to the truth.” Amanpour criticized drawing false equivalences in moral or factual debates, advocating thorough examination of all sides and evidence without equating differing viewpoints. She cited climate debates and political issues as areas where emphasis on equating different views causes damage.
Controversial Coverage and Commentary: Over her career, Amanpour’s reporting raised various debates, notably regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. In October 2023, shortly after a terror attack on Israel, she observed widespread agreement with Jordanian Queen Rania Al Abdullah’s concerns about Western bias toward Israel over Palestinians. She reported negotiations involving hostage releases on both sides, indicating Israel also retained civilian hostages beyond the state’s dealings with Hamas.
Earlier, she apologized after inaccurately stating an Israeli rabbi’s family murder resulted from a “shootout.” In November 2020, Amanpour faced backlash for comparing Trump’s presidency to Kristallnacht, the “Night of Broken Glass,” a 1938 event where Nazis attacked Jews across Germany and Austria, causing deaths and vandalized Jewish businesses.
This forthcoming exit marks the first major journalist departure from CNN under its new corporate leadership. Skydance CEO and Paramount owner David Ellison recently completed a $111 billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, integrating Hollywood studios and TV networks, including CNN and CBS.
While no evidence indicates Amanpour’s decision relates to Ellison’s acquisition, she has previously criticized network bosses publicly. Notably, she challenged former CNN head Chris Licht for the controversial Trump town hall broadcast in 2023. In May of the same year, Amanpour voiced concerns over Ellison owning CNN based on CBS News management after his Paramount purchase.
“I’m concerned based on what’s happened to the other things that he’s taken over already, like CBS News, right?” Amanpour said, suggesting “hemorrhaging viewers” and potential ideological shifts affecting CBS and its ‘60 Minutes’ program.
Joseph A. Wulfsohn serves as a media reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips welcome via email at [email protected] or on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn.