The New York Times is reporting that BBC leader Mark Thompson has been picked to be the next president of CNN.
Thompson’s journalism career includes a period at the Times when he served as the company’s chief executive and is credited with growing its digital business. Neither Thompson nor CNN would confirm the appointment on the record.
Thompson would be taking over after nearly two years of tumult at CNN which has stabilized recently under the leadership of a three person interim management team.
If the Thompson selection comes to be it would seem to satisfy the concerns of internal critics who have been crying out for a leader with strong journalism credentials. It might also mean a harder turn toward straight news coverage. Or not.
