Anderson Cooper quits 60 Minutes after two decades as he ditches CBS for CNN

Lauded journalist Anderson Cooper has confirmed that he will step down from his role as a correspondent on CBS News program 60 Minutes after almost two decades. 

Cooper will continue as the anchor for his CNN show Anderson Cooper 360°, which he has hosted since 2003.

In a statement, the gay journalist, TV host and political commentator, 58, described the 60 Minutes role as “one of the highlights” of his long career in news media.

“I got to tell amazing stories, and work with some of the best producers, editors and camera crews in the business,” Anderson Cooper said in a statement, after news of his imminent departure was first reported in industry newsletter Breaker.

“For nearly twenty years, I’ve been able to balance my jobs at CNN and CBS, but I have little kids now and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, while they want to spend time with me.”

Cooper reportedly renewed his contract with CNN last year, but decided against renewing with CBS News.

Cooper’s exit from CBS News comes amid a period of upheaval at the prestigious network, after the network’s parent company Paramount Skydance purchased The Free Press, a media company then owned by LGBTQ+ journalist Bari Weiss, for $150 million last October.

Paramount Skydance boss David Ellison then put Weiss, who had previously worked as an opinion writer at The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, in charge of CBS News as editor-in-chief, despite her having no prior broadcast experience. Weiss is known for her conservative and gender-critical views.

In October, the network experienced a slew of employee lay-offs, with more expected soon according to Variety.

CBS News has also faced increasing scrutiny over its editorial direction and independence, with accusations that it is becoming increasingly pro-MAGA.

In April last year, 60 Minutes producer Bill Owens departed the show, claiming that he had lost his journalistic independence.

In December, the network was criticised for spiking a story about Venezuelan immigrants who had been sent to Cecot prison in El Salvador under Trump’s orders. Weiss, according to The Guardian, reportedly ordered that the story be held as it did not feature the perspective of Trump’s administration, despite the administration declining to comment on the story.

Throughout his tenure about CBS News, Cooper Anderson became known for his boots ont the ground reporting on major news events. He has won 18 Emmy Awards, four of which were for his reports for 60 Minutes.

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