CBS News’ Tony Dokoupil Says He’ll Be ‘More Responsible Than Cronkite’
Tony Dokoupil, Bari Weiss’ pick to turn around the ratings-battered “CBS Evening News,” promised that the nightly news program he will host next week will be “more accountable and transparent” than under legendary journalist Walter Cronkite.
On Thursday, January 1, Dokoupil shared his views on the state of journalism – and how “CBS Evening News” would be different with him as host.
“People don’t trust us like they used to,” Dokoupil said in a video uploaded to social media and the outlet’s website. “On too many stories, the press has missed the story. And it’s not just us. It’s all traditional media. Because we’ve taken into account the perspective of advocates, not the average American. Or we’re putting too much weight on the analysis of academics, or elites, and not enough on you.”
He continued, “And I know this because I’ve been you at points. I’ve felt this way too. I felt like what I was seeing and hearing on the news didn’t match what I was seeing and hearing in my own life. And that the most pressing questions were simply not being asked.”
Dokoupil’s message was met with a healthy dose of skepticism and some disdain — and he responded directly to several critics on his Instagram account, like marked by Guardian media reporter Jeremy Barr.
One commenter wrote, “I grew up on Cronkite. Too bad CBS has lost its Tiffany luster. But good luck anyway.” Dokoupil responded, “What did you like most about him? I can promise you that we will be more responsible and transparent than Cronkite or anyone else of his era.”
Don Dahler, a journalist and former CBS News correspondent, wrote: “Tony, you know I have tremendous respect and affection for you. I know you are a solid journalist and a legitimate heir to the big bureau at CBS-News. But this sounds like it was written by Bari Weiss.” Dokoupil replied: “No, I wrote it. I spent the first half of my career as a print journalist. If the Internet had never been invented, I would probably still be a print journalist. Writing is my first form.”
Bravo host Andy Cohen also responded to Dokoupil’s post: “Listening to experts too much? Wtf.” To that, Dokoupil responded, “Andy, I love you. But you really can’t think of any examples where academic advice turned out to be limited or bad? I basically gave you a multiple-choice list. It’s possible that you lived outside or above the issues I mention.”
Dokoupil said in his original post that viewers have questioned CBS News’ reporting on topics such as “NAFTA or the Iraq War”; “Emails from Hillary Clinton or Russiagate”; and “more recently, the COVID lockdowns, Hunter Biden’s laptop, or the president’s fitness for office.”
Meanwhile, another commenter on Dokoupil’s post wrote: “I have very little confidence that this is true. We have seen how your company tied itself in knots to make itself attractive to its customers.” [sic] new parent company. I doubt you will be allowed to share the news in an unbiased manner. You’ll feature stories of everyday Americans battling addiction, job loss, etc., but the policy decisions that contribute to their plight will remain in the background. Call me a doubting Thomas, show me I’m wrong. To that, Dokoupil responded, “Hey, I hear you. They’re just words right now. But hold me to them.”
One of the most liked comments on Dokoupil’s New Year’s Day post was: “Too late… Bari Weiss destroyed this network.” Another commenter wrote: “It’s absolutely insane to say ‘we’re going to cover this up because facts from academia are uncomfortable for you.’”
Dokoupil was named anchor of “CBS Evening News” last month by Weiss, editor-in-chief of CBS News and founder of The Free Press. Paramount Skydance acquired The Free Press in a reported $150 million deal and installed Weiss to oversee CBS News’ editorial operations in what CEO David Ellison said was an effort to restore viewers’ confidence in the outlet.
On Friday, CBS Evening News published “five simple principles” to guide reporting. One of them, according to CBS News, is “We love America,” which explains that the country’s “foundational values of freedom, equality and the rule of law make us the last best hope on earth.”
RELATED: CBS Evening News says ‘We Love America’ is now one of its guiding principles
