Tony Dokoupil will explain.
Mr. Dokoupil is scheduled to begin appearing on CBS Evening News two days earlier than scheduled, two people familiar with the matter said, arriving from San Francisco at the anchor desk on Saturday night as the nation seeks news and information about the U.S. decision to launch a military offensive against Venezuela and detain its leader, Nicolás Maduro.
CBS News declined to make executives available to discuss coverage plans.
The anchor’s first appearance on “CBS Evening News” may come with some challenges. In recent days, Dokoupil and CBS News have made statements on social media that violate journalistic norms. For example, Dokoupil appeared on a propaganda show and argued that traditional news outlets don’t cover enough of the past because “we take into account the perspectives of advocates, not the average American. Or we focus too much on the analysis of academics and elites and not enough on you.” CBS News said Friday that one of its new principles is “We love America and we make no apologies for saying so.” But such a stance could undermine the operation’s coverage, especially on a day when President Trump declared the United States would “run” Venezuela after the president was detained.
Will CBS take a pro-government position or follow the government’s facts? Paramount Skydance’s recent statements cast a cloud on this issue. Followers of Dokoupil’s Instagram account have raised similar questions in recent days, and Dokoupil answered some of the questions, pointing out that he wrote the words in a recent promotion and asking people to “hug him.”
CBS News is being recalibrated by new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. He is an opinion provocateur who previously headed the site Free Press, which has made clear its support not only for Israel but also for anti-woke positions. Paramount acquired the channel for $150 million earlier this year, making Weiss the editorial director of CBS News alongside president Tom Cybrowski. Since taking office, Mr. Weiss, who has no experience managing a large, traditional media operation, has come under increased scrutiny. She has sparked controversy by launching a new City Hall debate series, criticizing newsrooms and other traditional media organizations, and recently calling for a fully vetted “60 Minutes” segment.
Dokoupil was scheduled to begin his tenure with the Evening News on Monday, launching an effort to report from various U.S. cities and towns. Well, plans have changed. He plans to hang out at KPIX in San Francisco on Saturday night, but his trip across America has been delayed by a few days. CBS News reported Saturday afternoon that the visit would begin later in the week after Dokoupil returns to New York for a few days on anchor duty.
Other top anchors were called in to cover breaking news on Saturday. Bret Baier, who usually anchors weekday shows on FOX News Channel, was seen on Saturday’s broadcast. Rachel Maddow, who typically hosts MS NOW for an hour a week, appeared on camera Saturday with regular anchor Ali Belushi. Erin Burnett and Wolf Blitzer were called in to help anchor CNN on Saturday.
More moves could be in the works. According to sources, Tom Lamas will anchor Saturday’s NBC Nightly News.
