CNN is facing a crisis as it struggles to regain lost viewers despite efforts to revamp its coverage approach. The network’s stubbornly left-wing journalists blame their own tactics for the decline, claiming they didn’t go hard enough against Donald Trump during the election.
According to insiders, CNN’s decision not to fact-check Trump during a town hall earlier this year upset staff and viewers. This, combined with the decision to hold a town hall with the president-elect in May 2023, led to a backlash from both sides of the aisle.
The network’s prime time viewership has slumped by 52% since Trump’s presidential win, according to Mediaite. CNN’s daily audience has also dropped, with a one percent decline from last year.
Industry experts point to the network’s friendlier approach to Trump as a major contributor to its woes. Former CEO Chris Licht’s mandate to appeal to more people on both sides of the political spectrum was seen as a failure by many.
The recent departure of veteran anchor Chris Wallace and journalist John Harwood, who left after referring to Trump as a “dishonest demagogue,” has further fueled speculation about the network’s struggles.
Despite launching a $3.99 subscription service for online content, CNN still faces significant challenges in carving out a profitable space in the crowded media landscape.
“It’s ratings control everything,” said a former senior producer. “It controls the money, it controls the influence, and it’s a huge morale issue.”
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14227259/CNN-journalists-offer-brutal-assessment-network-failing.html