I almost missed the news in the Politico’s gossip column that CNN has let go their ace Internet reporter, Jacki Schechner. Actually, word from inside CNN is that their President, Jonathan Klein, made the call himself. Apparently, a lot of people at the network are none too happy — Klein’s decision was not well received, at all. There are a lot, and I mean a lot, of grumblings about this decision at “the most trusted name in news.”
Full disclosure: John and I both think Jacki is great. We’ve been big fans since she arrived at the network. Besides being a truly smart and cool person, she understood the Internet and, unlike most of the media, she gets the blogs. Can’t have a reporter like that at CNN, oh no. Klein is unfortunately taking CNN back to the 90s. And when you consider that Jacki supposedly isn’t CNN material, but race-baiting homophobe Glenn Beck is, well, let’s just say some priorities are a little screwed up.
Jacki will be a star wherever she lands. As for CNN, you’re really not in a position to be losing your top talent. Big mistake, Mr. Klein. Big mistake.
Forgot to mention that Klein is bringing in Laura Ingraham, who Atrios reminds us tried “to jam a voter hotline” on Election Day. Classy. She’ll fit right in with Beck.
