CBS Corporation names first ever female head of news arm, Susan Zirinsky
Award-winning journalist Susan Zirinsky is to be president of CBS News when current president David Rhodes steps down in March.
Parent company CBS Corporation’s president announced last night Zirinsky, who has been with the company for more than 40 years, will be the first woman ever to lead the news arm of the broadcaster.
Zirinsky, who was previously senior executive producer on news show 48 Hours, said the new role would not change her mission of delivering “quality, in-depth journalism and engaging storytelling”.
“CBS News has an incredible legacy to build on. The public’s interest today for news and information is intense, and CBS News is uniquely positioned to expand its reach,” she added.
Zirinsky began her career at CBS during the Watergate scandal, finding herself alone in the Washington newsroom when new broke that President Richard Nixon had fired his attorney general in October 1973, the so called Saturday Night Massacre.
She has worked for the company in Beijing, Washington, New York and the Middle East.
Current president David Rhodes announced his departure last night on Twitter, saying it had been “eight incredible years since I joined CBS,” adding he was pleased to hand the reigns to Zirinsky.
https://twitter.com/davidgrayrhodes/status/1082111211670507521
Joe Lanniello, president of CBS Corporation, said Zirinsky was “more highly respected and admired” than any other broadcast news producer.
“She is an exceptional leader, a creative force, and an outstanding and proven journalist,” he said.
“Her energy, innovative instincts and competitive spirit are just what is needed to bring the best of CBS News to viewers on every platform.”
Zirinsky takes the helm months after CBS Corporation said it was facing an investigation over allegations of sexual misconduct relating to its former boss Leslie Moonves.
Moonves stepped down earlier in September after the New Yorker magazine published new allegations from several different women.