Lou Dobbs Departing CNN
Anchor says he is considering “a number of options”
By Alex Weprin and Marisa Guthrie -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/11/2009 7:17:21 PM
CNN anchor Lou Dobbs—one of the network’s first hires in 1980—is leaving the channel, he said on his program Lou Dobbs Tonight Nov. 11. Dobbs says his departure is effective immediately, and that Wednesday’s show will be his last for the network.
Although he was billed as Mr. Independent on his CNN program, Dobbs had been a lightning rod at the network.
He came under fire this year for giving so-called “birthers,” people who believe President Obama is not a U.S. citizen, a largely friendly platform to present their views.
He has also been a vocal critic of illegal immigration and has been criticized for his stance on that issue a number of times over the last few years. In October, CNN's four-hour special Latino in America prompted Latino advocacy groups to protest the network.
Progressive groups including Media Matters organized Dump Dobbs campaigns.
CNN president Jon Klein apparently gave Dobbs a choice of either doing a straight news program or leaving, say sources. Dobbs' contract was reported to extend into 2011.
"With characteristic forthrightness, Lou has now decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere," Klein said in a statement. "We respect his decision and wish him, Debi, and his family the very best.”
Dobbs says he is “considering a number of different options” for where he will end up, but says he wants to continue to advocate for issues he thinks are important.
He added that business leaders and others “have been urging me to go beyond my role here at CNN and engage in constructive problem-solving.”
“I will be eternally grateful to CNN, to Ted Turner, and all of my colleague and friends,” Dobbs said.
Dobbs will continue to do his radio program. There has been much speculation that he would jump to Fox News or Fox Business. On Wednesday a Fox spokesperson said:
“We have not had any discussions with Lou Dobbs for Fox News or Fox Business.”
CNN has said that it will name a replacement for Dobbs on Thursday.
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Now Lou Dobbs, Glen Beck can become domestic partners...
CNN is no place for Right Wing advocacy or Political Party "Independent Party" building. Or the Angry Women Opinions such as Nancy Grace and Valez-Mitchell...
Lets see if CNN can get back to real news, faire balanced reporting...
CR - 11/14/2009 3:53:53 PM EST -
It's about time...Lou Dobbs left the news side of things a long, long, time ago.
Mike - 11/12/2009 10:33:12 AM EST -
It's CNN's loss and Lou Dobbs gain. I didn't think he'd last long when he started reporting on issues that a vast number of viewers are concerned about.
CNN was my favorite channel for so long but has deteriorated over the past year to the extent I can't bear to watch most of the shallow reporting, juvenile reporting. The Saturday program host is pathetic. It's a fan club not a news show. Sadly, only those who fit "the mold" are allowed to speak in the country anymore.
MM - 11/11/2009 11:39:02 PM EST -
Soon CNN will run out of honest people to do the news.... however I think the ratings reflect the fact that their audience has already said goodbye to a defunct network.
Samuel Hufstedler - 11/11/2009 9:41:02 PM EST -
My apology for stereotyping but he does not belong on CNN, but rather a perfect candidate for FOX entertainment and is right wing agenda.
H. Morfin - 11/11/2009 9:18:54 PM EST
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