John Dickerson, a veteran CBS News journalist, has announced his departure from the network after 16 years, becoming the latest high-profile figure to leave amid concerns about editorial independence under new ownership. Dickerson, who served as co-anchor of CBS Evening News and previously moderated Face the Nation, shared the news on Instagram, expressing gratitude for his colleagues and the network's legacy.
His exit comes as CBS News undergoes significant changes under new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who is reportedly seeking to revamp the evening news and has shown interest in Fox News anchor Bret Baier. The network has faced criticism over its handling of a lawsuit settlement with the Trump administration regarding a 60 Minutes interview, which some saw as a compromise of journalistic integrity to facilitate the sale of parent company Paramount to Skydance Media.
Dickerson had previously criticised the settlement, questioning whether the network could maintain public trust after paying millions. His departure follows a series of high-profile resignations, including a 60 Minutes executive producer and the CBS News CEO, who cited loss of journalistic independence. A CBS News staffer expressed sadness but not surprise at Dickerson's exit, calling him an excellent journalist.
The move likely signals the end of the two-anchor format on CBS Evening News, introduced in January but failing to boost ratings. It remains unclear whether co-anchor Maurice DuBois will continue with the programme.
