Dismissal of CNN Reporter Shakes Bureau

The New York Times ^ | May 6, 2002 | JIM RUTENBERG

[X-USAF]

The announcement last week that Major Garrett, the CNN White House correspondent, would be leaving the network came as a surprise to his colleagues in Washington. It also was a shock to Mr. Garrett — and the manner of his dsmissal has roiled the bureau, CNN staff members said.

During his two and a half years at the network, executives never told Mr. Garrett they had a problem with him, people close to the situation said. Last Monday, however, they bluntly told him that he had "no future" at CNN and that his services were no longer needed. CNN executives did not dispute this account.

The apparent harshness in the way the dismissal was handled sent a chill through the Washington offices of CNN, a subsidiary of AOL Time Warner.

It has also added to a sense of unease at the bureau that is growing as CNN executives continue to make changes. In the last year, the bureau has lost, either to buyout, dismissal or the competition: its longtime chief, Frank Sesno, and its two legal analysts, Roger Cossack and Greta Van Susteren. Its veteran anchor, Bernard Shaw, retired. Meanwhile, the role of Bill Press, the longtime Democrat on "Crossfire," came to an end last month when he was replaced with two Democratic consultants Paul Begala and James Carville.

"There is huge uncertainty which hangs over everybody — camera people, producers, directors, reporters and anchors," said another person on the CNN Washington staff.

A representative for Mr. Garrett, Robert Barnett, a Washington lawyer, had no comment.

CNN executives said the dissatisfaction among those on the Washington staff was regrettable, but perhaps to be expected. Mr. Garrett's departure, they said, was just one of the changes at CNN since the completion of the merger of its former parent company, Time Warner, and America Online last year.

The new CNN management — led by Jamie Kellner, the Turner Broadcasting System chief executive, and Walter Isaacson, the CNN chairman — was said to question whether Mr. Garrett had the breakout quality the network was seeking.

"The whole strategy is to keep our programming focused on our top correspondents," said an executive at CNN. The executive added that the network was being a lot more selective about whom it puts on the screen and was "really trying to draw out the top anchors like Jonathan Karl or John King or Kate Snow or Kelly Wallace" — the Washington correspondents currently in favor. Mr. Garrett is being replaced with Suzanne Malveaux, a former NBC News correspondent.

[X-USAF]

...had "no future" at CNN and that his services were no longer needed.

I suspect any decent reporter would be grateful for such a compliment.

[Tuor]

Wow am I out of the loop. I didn't know AOL owned CNN, too. I thought Ted Turner owned it.

AOL gets bigger (and more base) every day.

Tuor

[ChiefKujo]

Die, die, die; everyone must die!

[Free_at_last_-2001]

Oh my God!! did he report the news and not the agenda? - he must go!!

[GuillermoX]

Teddy sold everything (TBS, TNT, CNN, Braves, Hawks) to Time-Warner in 1996.

[ladtx]

I can't figure this one out. Garrett always seemed to be one of the lock-step boys at CNN.

[X-USAF]

Since I am not a viewer of this vile network, it would be pure speculation on my behalf regarding the quality of his work.

[TADSLOS]

Garrett should be grateful. He has just handed a life preserver as the ship sinks slowly beneath the waves.

[Constitution Day]

To: Fox News Channel
From: Constitution Day

Dear Fox,

Please do not hire Major Garrett.
There are already enough of CNN's operatives (Greta van Facelift and Jerry "the mustache" Rivers) in your employ.

Sincerely yours,

CD

[colorado tanker]

So, will he be replaced by Begala or Carville?

[N. Theknow]

I can't figure this one out. Garrett always seemed to be one of the lock-step boys at CNN.

CNN probably had his home bugged to see if he was smoking and overheard him yell "AWRIGHT" when an Israeli tank blew a hole in Arafat's HQ.

[STD]

I liked Major when he was on America's Voice with Larry Klayman et al. When he joined CNN, I stopped watching him. He was not a true believer. If you run with the devil, the devil will get his do! Happy unemployment Major!

[Tuor]

Six years ago?! Man. I didn't know that.

Tuor

[Hodar]

hafta agree with you. Ever since the Clinton years, CNN has been lying, distorting the facts, and ignoring the law regarding Clinton's behavior. So, for the past 2 years I have had my TV set to ignore CNN. Who needs biased media? I get my news from FOX. I may not like the facts, I may disagree with aspects ... but at least I am getting BOTH sides of the story.

[OldFriend]

Just CNN insuring THEY have no future. It's a small world and the way they treat their employees will no doubt just add to the already low reputation they earned.

[Dog Gone]

[Hoosier Patriot]

Unconfirmed sources say that the reason for the dismissal was due "to more frequent and flagrant reporting of the truth, something that CNN has never supported in spirit or in practice." </sarcasm>

[tom paine 2]

Suzanne Malveaux is the daughter of that left wing reporter and psychotic b**ch from hell, whose first name I cannot recall.

[X-USAF]

I would think their acceptance of the position would be a demotion.

[Quix]

Wellllllll, some of us have sure prayed their chickens would come home to roost and that they would be much diminished in influence on the country and world.