CBS Evening News has fired its senior broadcast producer, Javier Guzman, just days into the tenure of new anchor Tony Dokoupil, according to sources familiar with the matter. Guzman, who had been with the programme for eight years, was dismissed after Wednesday night's broadcast from Dallas, part of Dokoupil's cross-country 'Live From America' tour.
The termination followed a meeting with executive producer Kim Harvey, network president Tom Cibrowski and managing editor Charles Forelle. During the meeting, Guzman was accused of undermining Harvey amid the relaunch of the nightly news programme. Cibrowski reportedly cited irreconcilable differences before dismissing Guzman.
Staff at CBS Evening News were left confused and emotional after the firing, with many pressing management for an explanation during a 'very charged' editorial meeting on Thursday. No rationale was provided. The departure comes as the show faces heavy criticism over its coverage of the Trump administration and technical issues under Dokoupil.
Dokoupil has been criticised for an 'unchallenging' interview with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and for his handling of the fifth anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riots. He also faced mockery for a segment on Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which one CBS reporter described as 'so weird'. Staff morale is reportedly low, with much of the blame directed at Harvey, who is seen as a 'yes person' for editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.
