Tony Dokoupil’s ‘CBS Evening News’ opens amid Venezuela news
Tony Dokoupil has some explaining to do.
Dokoupil will begin his run on the “CBS Evening News” two days earlier than expected, according to two people familiar with the matter, taking over the San Francisco anchor desk Saturday evening as the nation searches for news and information about the U.S. decision to launch military strikes on Venezuela and capture its leader. Nicolas Maduro.
CBS News declined to make executives available to discuss coverage plans.
The anchor’s debut on “CBS Evening News” may come with some challenges. In recent days, both Dokoupil and CBS News have made statements on social media that defy some journalistic norms. For example, Dokoupil appeared in a promo claiming that traditional media has not properly covered past events “because we have taken into account the perspective of advocates and not the average American. Or we give too much weight to the analysis of academics or elites, and not enough to you.” CBS News said Friday that one of the new principles was: “We love America. And we make no apologies for saying so.” But such a stance could undermine the operation’s news-gathering efforts, especially on a day when President Trump declared that the US would “send” Venezuela after capturing the president.
Will CBS take a pro-government position or follow the facts where they lead? Recent statements from Paramount Skydance shed light on the issue. Followers of Dokoupil’s Instagram account asked similar questions in recent days, and Dokoupil responded to some, noting that he wrote the words of his recent promo and urged people to “Hold me to them.”
CBS News is being recalibrated by its new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, an opinion provocateur who previously led The Free Press, a site that has clearly expressed support for an anti-woke stance and for Israel. Paramount bought the outlet earlier this year for a reported $150 million and appointed Weiss as head of CBS News’ editorial operations, alongside president Tom Cibrowski. Since her arrival, Weiss, who has no experience running a large traditional media operation, has received increasing attention. She initiated a new series of town hall discussions and debates, chastised the newsroom and other traditional media organizations and recently stoked controversy by calling for a fully vetted and reported “60 Minutes” segment.
Dokoupil is expected to have launched his tenure at “Evening News” on Monday, beginning a push to report from several U.S. cities and towns. Now plans have changed. While he is scheduled to appear on San Francisco’s KPIX on Saturday night, his tour of America has been put on hold, a person familiar with the matter said. Dokoupil will return to New York to continue his “Evening News” duties, this person said.
Other top anchors were called in on Saturday to handle the latest news. Bret Baier, who usually hosts a weekday program on Fox News Channel, was seen on the air Saturday. Rachel Maddow, who normally manages MS NOW for an hour a week, appeared in front of the camera on Saturday alongside regular presenter Ali Velshi. Erin Burnett and Wolf Blitzer were called in to help at CNN on Saturday.
More movements may follow. Tom Llamas is expected to host Saturday’s “NBC Nightly News” broadcast, according to a person familiar with the matter.
