One of CNN’s most prominent correspondents has chosen to leave the network rather than navigate the uncertainty created by the Paramount takeover, rejecting a contract extension and heading instead to MS NOW.
Paula Reid, the network’s chief legal affairs correspondent, told management she would not renew her deal when it expires this summer, despite what sources describe as a sustained push by executives to retain her. The 43-year-old journalist is expected to join MS NOW, which has expanded its enterprise and hard-news operations under President Rebecca Kutler, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Reid’s exit marks the first time a major full-time CNN journalist has departed specifically because of concerns about the network’s direction under Paramount Skydance, making her decision a bellwether moment in the industry.
Uncertainty Over Merger Drove Decision
In private discussions with CNN leadership, Reid voiced unease about the looming merger and the ambiguity surrounding the network’s editorial direction after the deal closes. Executives eager to retain her found they could not provide concrete assurances about CNN’s post-merger operations because they themselves lacked clarity on what the leadership structure would be. Confronted with that reality, Reid opted to leave.
The concerns are not hypothetical. Since taking control of Paramount, Chief Executive David Ellison has moved decisively to overhaul CBS News, appointing Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News. That decision triggered a series of high-profile exits and dismissals at “60 Minutes,” a venerable program in broadcast journalism. Scott Pelley was fired after a public clash with Weiss, and veteran correspondent Anderson Cooper also left the show. Discussions are reportedly underway about whether Weiss might assume an oversight role covering both CBS News and CNN once the acquisition is complete — a possibility that has sparked anxiety among CNN journalists.
A Reporter Known for Tough Coverage
Reid came to CNN in 2021 after over 10 years at CBS News, where she worked as White House correspondent and covered the Justice Department. At CNN, she became a regular presence on air, delivering extensive reporting on the Supreme Court and federal and state probes of senior officials, including President Donald Trump. She was part of the team that initially broke the story of Trump being recorded on audio discussing a classified document he retained after his first presidency.
Her exchanges with Trump were often contentious. During pandemic briefings in 2020, Trump singled her out, attacking her questioning and calling her attitude problematic. Trump also routinely assailed CNN as an organization, and Reid’s tenure as White House correspondent at CBS was defined by frequent confrontations with him over border policies and the administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other Departures and Industry Dynamics
Reid’s departure is part of a broader wave of talent evaluating their futures at CNN. Technology journalist Kara Swisher, a CNN contributor, has stated publicly she will cut ties with the network when the Paramount merger is finalized. Other journalists are privately exploring their options, according to people familiar with internal discussions.
Blair Levin, an analyst at New Street Research, said media companies facing pressure to accommodate political power will see talent leave for organizations that resist such alignment.
Ellison has defended his commitment to editorial independence. In an interview with CNBC, he said the independence essential to quality journalism would remain intact at both CBS and CNN. Whether that promise survives the merger’s completion — and whoever ultimately leads CNN’s newsroom — is a question that continues to hang over the reporters who remain.
The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division has approved the Paramount Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, finding no threat to competition. However, Britain’s culture minister has indicated she may intervene on public interest grounds. A spokesman for MS NOW declined to address Reid’s anticipated move directly but offered this: “As everyone in Washington knows, Paula Reid is an exceptional reporter, and any news organization would be fortunate to showcase her journalism.”
