http://www.nypostonline.com/business/22095.htm
HEADS ROLL AS THE PURGE KICKS IN AT CNN
Tuesday,January 23,2001
By ALLYSON LIEBERMAN and ADAM BUCKMAN
Day one of the CNN layoffs got off to a brutal start.
Many of the Cable News Network's well-known on-air personalities were the first victims of the company's push to streamline organization.
Among those on yesterday's hit list were:
* Gene Randall - a weekend news anchorman at CNN's Washington, D.C., bureau. As part of CNN's reorganization plan, the weekend newscasts were moved from Washington to Atlanta. Randall didn't want to make the move, say CNN insiders. In an internal memo sent out to his colleagues, Randall said he has "chosen to accept the company's very generous severance package." After 17 years at CNN, Randall wrote "the pleasure has been all mine."
* Steve Cassidy - deputy international managing editor. His boss, Eason Jordan, wrote in an internal memo that, "After 19 years at CNN - a CNN2 founder, New York bureau chief and Senior National and International Desker - Steve is one of the 400 colleagues leaving CNN as part of our reorganization." Jordan added: "During his nearly two decades at CNN, Steve's twisted wit and candor have left his colleagues and unwitting outsiders dazzled and dumfounded."
* Dan Ronan - an Atlanta-based correspondent.
* Don Knapp and Greg Lefevre - San Francisco-based correspondents.
* Jim Hill and Jennifer Auther - Los Angeles-based correspondents.
* Adam Kluger - a producer of veteran on-air personality Bill Tush.
* Seven staffers from Elsa Klensch's "Style" show: In a memo sent out to colleagues, the "Style" team said: "It is time to say goodbye, and we at "Style" would like to thank everyone for the good times, friendship, support and words of encouragement." Elsa Klensch resigned last week.
* Graylian Young - An Atlanta bureau chief
* Tony Guida - host of CNNfn's "Entrepeneurs Only."
* Charles Zewe - a Dallas-based business correspondent.
* Bill Tucker, a 17-year CNN veteran.
Sources at CNN say the feeling inside the Turner Broadcasting news empire is solemn - with on-air as well as behind-the-scenes staffers either worried about their own jobs or despondent over the loss of their friends and colleagues.
The bloodbath is expected to continue all week, with the final round of layoffs due Friday.
A CNN spokesperson declined comment.
_______________________________
Gee, I wonder what's behind CNN's travails? Free men and women when permitted to act as free moral agents can not be ignored.
HEADS ROLL AS THE PURGE KICKS IN AT CNN
Tuesday,January 23,2001
By ALLYSON LIEBERMAN and ADAM BUCKMAN
Day one of the CNN layoffs got off to a brutal start.
Many of the Cable News Network's well-known on-air personalities were the first victims of the company's push to streamline organization.
Among those on yesterday's hit list were:
* Gene Randall - a weekend news anchorman at CNN's Washington, D.C., bureau. As part of CNN's reorganization plan, the weekend newscasts were moved from Washington to Atlanta. Randall didn't want to make the move, say CNN insiders. In an internal memo sent out to his colleagues, Randall said he has "chosen to accept the company's very generous severance package." After 17 years at CNN, Randall wrote "the pleasure has been all mine."
* Steve Cassidy - deputy international managing editor. His boss, Eason Jordan, wrote in an internal memo that, "After 19 years at CNN - a CNN2 founder, New York bureau chief and Senior National and International Desker - Steve is one of the 400 colleagues leaving CNN as part of our reorganization." Jordan added: "During his nearly two decades at CNN, Steve's twisted wit and candor have left his colleagues and unwitting outsiders dazzled and dumfounded."
* Dan Ronan - an Atlanta-based correspondent.
* Don Knapp and Greg Lefevre - San Francisco-based correspondents.
* Jim Hill and Jennifer Auther - Los Angeles-based correspondents.
* Adam Kluger - a producer of veteran on-air personality Bill Tush.
* Seven staffers from Elsa Klensch's "Style" show: In a memo sent out to colleagues, the "Style" team said: "It is time to say goodbye, and we at "Style" would like to thank everyone for the good times, friendship, support and words of encouragement." Elsa Klensch resigned last week.
* Graylian Young - An Atlanta bureau chief
* Tony Guida - host of CNNfn's "Entrepeneurs Only."
* Charles Zewe - a Dallas-based business correspondent.
* Bill Tucker, a 17-year CNN veteran.
Sources at CNN say the feeling inside the Turner Broadcasting news empire is solemn - with on-air as well as behind-the-scenes staffers either worried about their own jobs or despondent over the loss of their friends and colleagues.
The bloodbath is expected to continue all week, with the final round of layoffs due Friday.
A CNN spokesperson declined comment.
_______________________________
Gee, I wonder what's behind CNN's travails? Free men and women when permitted to act as free moral agents can not be ignored.
