Developing Story: Rumors are circulating that longtime CNN Domestic anchor Tony Harris is leaving the network at the end of the month.
Harris joined CNN in 2004 and currently anchors the 11 AM ET edition of CNN Newsroom from their World Headquarters in Atlanta. Before joining CNN he anchored weekday newscasts for the CBS affiliate in Atlanta.
Update: (2:02 PM ET) We have official confirmation from a CNN spokesperson that Tony is leaving the network at the end of the month.
Today is Susan Lisovicz's last day at CNN. Her contract is not being renewed. Kyra Phillips had some nice things to say during her hour of CNN Newsroom.
PHILLIPS: All right. Let's keep things on an up note. To all our viewers, ladies, gentlemen, everyone that's tuning in now, I just want you if you don't mind to stay with us here for a moment, stop what you're doing. This is Susan Lisovicz's last day with us, and I just want to do a little "This is your life." Let's take a listen for a moment.
(LAUGHTER)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS)
LISOVICZ (on camera): Could clear the way for Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler lookalikes to light up the screen or possibly the television set once again. But whether today's writers could pull it off with the Southern style and grace of Margaret Mitchell remains to be seen.
Susan Lisovicz, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: And you talk about grace, that is Susan Lisovicz, ladies and gentlemen. Grace, class, smarts. And the moment that I'll never forget -- she was the only reporter on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to track down the president of the United States. Folks, it was called what we like to call a kick-ass moment in television. Let's go ahead and listen to it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LISOVICZ: Do you think it's warmer than on Capitol Hill right now?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LISOVICZ: Yes, I'll never forget that. I think we went live, Susan Lisovicz, for about ten minutes because nobody here at the network could believe that you were able to work your way through that crowd.
LISOVICZ: It was actually 40 minutes, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Were we live for 40 minutes?
LISOVICZ: Yes. It was all unscripted. You know, I tell you, that photo that we're seeing, that shot went around the world because President Bush was only the second sitting president to visit the New York Stock Exchange. And so there was mayhem on the floor, even more than usual.
And I only recently learned the story here. There was only one photographer on the floor. He was standing on a ladder. Such a great guy. He was calling my name to face the camera so I could have a memento but I was live on the air, I didn't hear him. The president heard him, looked up, waved and that shot was used in countless newspapers around the world. And in fact, yes, it was just...
PHILLIPS: We should point out too, Susan, that's what's been one of the most amazing things about you in all the years that you've been here at CNN. You're not just the gal at the New York Stock Exchange talking about our money. You've covered disasters, hard news, you've done amazing features, you've done it all.
And you're the only one to get the president that day and ask him one of the tough questions when he was getting hammered on Capitol Hill for issues concerning the war.
Bottom line, we are going to miss you, Susan. You're one of the most remarkable women I've ever met here at CNN, and I thank you for making me better at what I do.
LISOVICZ: Oh, I'm a click and a call away for all of you. I really appreciate all the calls, the e-mails.
And just one last thing about the president. That was an unscheduled visit, Kyra, and my sources told me he wasn't going to come unless the market was rallying, and the market rallied that day. And he dropped in and the market is rallying today.
PHILLIPS: And you rallied for us, boy, for 40 minutes on live television. We're going to miss you. We love you.
LISOVICZ: Likewise.
PHILLIPS: You're a great person, Susan Lisovicz. All right.
During Tony Harris' shift on CNN Newsroom, he had some comments about Susan's leaving. Here is the video:
Although she has been an anchor for Headline News, and a reporter for CNN and CNN International, she was most frequently seen reporting from both the CNN studio and the floor at the New York Stock Exchange.
She was live on the air when then-President George W. Bush made a surprise visit to the NYSE and pushed her way through the crowd to become the only reporter to get an on-air comment from Bush during his visit.
CNN Press Release - New Network Daytime Lineup: Phillips, Harris, Velshi and Sanchez
Building upon the success of CNN’sdayside programming, Ali Velshi will join the weekday lineup with anchors Kyra Phillips, Tony Harris and Rick Sanchez beginning January 18, it was announced today by CNN/U.S. president Jon Klein. From Atlanta, Velshi will anchor a two-hour general newscast from 1-3 p.m. as well as continue his role as CNN’s chief business correspondent and co-anchor of Your $$$$$.
Phillips will anchor the 9-11 a.m. hours of CNN Newsroom, Harris continues from 11-1 p.m., followed by Velshi. From 3-5 p.m., Sanchez anchors his new program Rick’s List also debuting on January 18.
“Ali has enormous range as a broadcaster, whether he’s reporting breaking news about an attempted terror threat, traveling across the U.S. interviewing Americans about how the economy has affected them, or breaking down business issues as complex as the mortgage crisis or the stimulus plan. He’s passionate and smart, and brings a level of expertise that viewers expect from CNN,” said Klein.
Since joining the network in 2001, Velshi has covered every major business news story including the reopening of the markets after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, the fall of Enron, Arthur Anderson and WorldCom. Velshi traveled to cover the economic impact of natural disasters including Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav and Ike. In December 2007 he traveled to Pakistan to report on the assassination of politician Benazir Bhutto for the network. During the coverage of the 2008 presidential election Velshi was a part of the best political team on television and traveled extensively around the country on the CNN Election Express reporting on real issues facing voters. Last year, he covered the meltdown of the world financial markets and the following recession.
Said Velshi, “I'm excited to have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our viewers by making the tough issues of our time clear and accessible to them. The feedback I get from our viewers as I travel around the country reinforces that they appreciate our commitment to breaking down the day’s news.”
CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.
CNN and Turner Broadcasting Host Georgia High School Students for Week-long Leadership Program
CNN Press Release - CNN Worldwide, in partnership with Turner BroadcastingSystem, Inc. (TBS, Inc) and 21st Century Leaders, is hosting the fourth annual Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience, a week-long program developed exclusively by CNN employees to teach rising high school juniors and seniors in Georgia about media literacy, journalism and personal leadership. Leadership Unplugged takes place June 22-26, 2009, on the campus of Georgia Institute of Technology.
“My CNN colleagues and I are thrilled to offer these exceptional young people a forum to further develop their personal leadership styles, as well as learn more about some of the most critical challenges facing media professionals every day,” said Susan Grant, executive vice president of CNN News Services. “The opportunity to mentor Leadership Unplugged ambassadors is an honor for CNN executives and anchors alike, and we hope each of the students gains as much from the experience as we do each year.”
During the Leadership Unplugged program, 100 high school students - selected from a competitive pool of applicants from across the state of Georgia - will learn how news stories are presented on different platforms, as well as the impact social networking is having on the media landscape. The students will participate in workshops and discussion groups on a range of topics including diversity, ethics in media and audience engagement; and will attend panels and mentoring sessions featuring CNN executives, reporters and anchors including CNN’s Kyra Phillips and Tony Harris; HLN’s Richard Lui; CNN International’s Colleen McEdwards; and CNN.com’s Reggie Aqui and Melissa Long.
The curriculum for Leadership Unplugged is developed by CNN Student News, CNN’s cost-and-commercial-free news program for middle and high school students, and the classes and workshops are led by volunteer employees at CNN and TBS, Inc. After attending the classes and workshops throughout the week, the students work in teams to develop a story idea based upon the lessons they have learned. The week concludes with the student teams presenting their proposals before a panel of judges comprised of CNN and TBS, Inc. executives.
CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
21st Century Leaders, Inc., is a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire the next generation of Georgia leaders by empowering high school students with essential business and community leadership skills through programs connecting a diverse group of enthusiastic peers and passionate professionals.
Essence Communications to Partner with CNN, HLN and CNN.com
CNN Press Release - Essence Communications to Partner with CNN, HLN and CNN.com For Weekly News Segments
What Matters Debuted On CNN and HLN on May 8
CNN, HLN, CNN.com and Essence Communications, Inc., today announced a partnership to develop What Matters, a series of weekly news segments focused on issues of importance to the African-American community. As an extension of the regular news items and features in ESSENCE magazine, as well as the ongoing multicultural programming on CNN, the on-air and online segments will be hosted on CNN by Tony Harris and Don Lemon with contributions from Roland Martin, Fredricka Whitfield and T.J. Holmes. The segments will be hosted on HLN by anchor Richelle Carey.
The recurring segment debuted on CNN on Friday, May 8, in the 12 p.m. hour and will feature topics ranging from 401(k) strategies to elder-care issues to pop culture. On HLN, the segment will be seen during the 6 p.m. hour on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday editions of “Prime News.” Inspired by the monthly “Our News” section of ESSENCE magazine, content for the segments will be developed collaboratively.
Online users also can view the “What Matters” segments on-demand at CNN.com and on Mondays via CNN.com Live, the Internet's only live multi-stream video news service. This online content will be available beginning May 15. In addition, Essence.com will offer users related articles, additional commentary, blog discussions and the opportunity to view the “What Matters” segments.
“ESSENCE is proud to partner with CNN, HLN and CNN.com to launch What Matters as a platform to inform, educate and define the cultural discussion,” said Angela Burt-Murray, Editor-in-Chief, ESSENCE. “Last year’s collaboration on the ESSENCE/CNN co-production CNN & Essence: Reclaiming the Dream laid the groundwork for What Matters – a project that will combine our reach and expertise to further the development of quality programming for African-Americans.”
“Our partnership with ESSENCE has been a very productive one, and What Matters is an important next step in those collaborative efforts,” commented Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S. “The power of our two brands promises to continue to enhance the dialogue about issues important to our collective audiences.”
What Matters is sponsored by McDonald’s, who is also the presenting sponsor of CNN’s Black in America 2, the sequel series to 2008’s groundbreaking initiative. Reported by CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien, Black in America 2 reveals the stories of community leaders and innovative pioneers who are creating solutions to challenges within African-American communities – closing achievement gaps in education, reducing health disparities, and launching business enterprises. The two primetime documentaries for the series premiere on Wednesday, July 22, and Thursday, July 23. The 2009 co-production with Essence Communications, CNN & Essence: Reclaiming the Dream 2, will be filmed on July 4 at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.
About CNN Worldwide CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.
About HLN HLN, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is designed especially for viewers who want relevant and comprehensive news and personality-driven programming in a way that suits the urgency of their schedules. Via its “news and views” format, the network updates viewers constantly, 24 hours each day, with complete and concise national newscasts throughout the day and a compelling slate of legal, entertainment and talk programs during at night, utilizing the best resources of CNN Worldwide.
About Essence Communications, Inc. Essence Communications Inc. (ECI) is the leading media and communications company dedicated to African-American women. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, live events, and online, the Essence brand is “Where Black Women Come First”. The company’s flagship publication, ESSENCE magazine, is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; generating brand extensions such as the Essence Music Festival, Women Who Are Shaping the World Leadership Summit, Window on Our Women (WOW I & II) and Smart Beauty I, II & III consumer insights, the Essence Book Club, Essence.com, and ventures in digital media (mobile, television and VOD). For 38 years, ESSENCE magazine, which has a readership of 8.1 million, has been the leading source of cutting-edge information relating to every area of African-American women’s lives.
Additional information about ECI and ESSENCE is available at www.essence.com.
- Rosemary Church is headed to her home continent of Australia for a short break. BackStory's Michael Holmes will be filling for her on the first weekend block of shows.
- New York-based photojournalist Emmanuel Tambakakis was injured recently while in Greece. TVNewser has the story.
- In case you missed it, Tony Harris (anchor of CNN Newsroom on CNN Domestic) broke out in a little Michael Jackson a while back. They showed the video to him and here is his reaction (look for a great Kyra Phillips appearance):
Look for Bonnie Schneider tomorrow, December 24, on CNN's American Morning (6-9 AM ET) and on the morning editions of CNN Newsroom with Heidi Collins (9-11 AM ET) and Tony Harris (11 AM-1 PM ET).
CNN Newsroom is going the way of Headine News and changing to a single anchor format. TVNewser has more details. Here is the new lineup, beginning September 8th.
Fredricka Whitfield was in for Heidi Collins and Tony Harris this morning, not sounding too well. Her voice is sounding a little scratchy as she fights off sickness, so CNN brought in Rob Marciano to assist her beginning with the 10:00 AM Eastern hour.
Anchor Betty Nguyen Reports Live from Sierra Leone on Elections
CNN - CNN Newsroom anchor Betty Nguyen reports live from Freetown, Sierra Leone, in preparation for Saturday’s elections in the West African nation. She speaks with a man whose arms were amputated during the civil war, which ended in 2002. He explains how he will vote with his toes.
From CNN Newsroom Aired August 10, 2007 11:00 hour – ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: A country scarred by war, its people raped, maimed and killed. Now Sierra Leone voters poised to go to the polls, casting ballots for a better life. CNN's Betty Nguyen reports from the West African nation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR (Voice-over): Sierra Leone is a picturesque place, where West Africa meets the Atlantic Ocean. It's home to more than 5 million people, many of whom are still trying to dig themselves out of poverty. Here in the nation's capital, children spend their days searching through piles of trash, just as the pigs do. Those lucky enough to find scrap metal will only earn a penny per pound. Ranked the second poorest country in the world by the United Nations, the scars from a decade of civil war are still visible. Ahaji Jakar had his arms hacked off by rebels in 1999.
AHAJI JAKAR, BOTH HANDS AMPUTATED: I said to him, to them, I said, “Don't cut my hands, don't amputate my hands. I'm your brother. They said, no, I'm not your brother.”
NGUYEN: Amputees are a reminder that about a million people were murdered, maimed or raped in a political game of power and intimidation. Much of the world knows of these atrocities from the Oscar-winning movie "Blood Diamond." But what you don't see in the movie is how these amputees refused to let the rebels rob them of their political voice, once the war ended in 2002. With no hands to vote, Jakar shows us how he used his toes to cast his ballot.
JAKAR: Maybe I will write my S.
NGUYEN: But with a new set of arms and a new presidential election on Saturday, he can't wait to vote the old-fashioned way. In fact, the enthusiasm surrounding the election has spread like fever, creating an excitement that borders on euphoria.
(On camera): Unlike the election in 2002, which came on the heels of a bloody civil war, the fear that once ruled the streets of Freetown has now been replaced by peaceful political parties, more reminiscent of a carnival. But call it what you want, it is true that democracy is slowly taking root.
(Voice-over): Opposition party supporters stopped traffic and brought businesses to a virtual standstill as thousands filled the streets, dancing and sing. While they look to the future, Stephen Rapp is focused on the past. He's the prosecutor for the UN War Crimes Tribunal. It is his job to go after those who bear the greatest responsibility for the war and the horrors they inflicted. And former Liberian leader Charles Taylor is the top prize. He's currently on trial at The Hague.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEPHEN RAPP, UN WAR CRIMES PROSECUTOR: But justice is a key part of all of this. If you don't have the rule of law, if you have a situation where people can come in and kidnap your daughter and make her a sex slave, chop off your son's arms, rape your wife, destroy everything you've built, you can't develop a future. And that's what happened in this country. And until you have a rule of law, which we're, I think, helping establish with these judgments, this country can't go forward. And that's why I think this process is so important.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: And justice is certainly what the people of Sierra Leone deserve, after suffering for so long. But for now, they'll have to find peace of mind, knowing that political change is on the horizon and the choice is theirs to make.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HARRIS: And Betty Nguyen joins us from Freetown, Sierra Leone. Betty, great to see you. The power of the vote, just fascinating, the idea of people voting with their toes. Tell us more about that process.
NGUYEN: Tony, it is truly remarkable to see people so passionate about voting in this election that they would go to those means. But there is another option this time around. They are letting people who are double amputees bring along a family member or friend who can actually make that mark for them. And I will tell you, though, Sierra Leone is one of the only countries in the world where election workers have been given a guidebook that says, should a voter come in who's missing their index finger, needed to make that mark, then you move on to the next finger, and so on and so forth. And if the right hand is gone, then you move on to the left hand. Truly remarkable.
HARRIS: Well, Betty, we saw the crowds in your piece. How about voter turnout, and I'm wondering how it might be impacted by that monsoon behind you.
NGUYEN: This rain has been going all day long. Hopefully it won't affect voter turnout tomorrow. Let me tell you this, 2.6 million people are registered to vote in this election. That is about 90 percent of the eligible population. That is amazing. They are out in the streets, they are wanting to vote, they are passionate about voting and they want political change. And they're going to do it, rain or shine.
HARRIS: Give folks a chance, a choice of freedom and they say yes. They say yes all the time. Betty Nguyen, joining us from Freetown.
NGUYEN: They take it.
HARRIS: Yes, they do -- from Freetown, Sierra Leone. Betty, great to see you. Thank you.
At 1059 gmt, Adrian Finighan in London introduced a live simulcast of CNN American Morning for continuing coverage of the Virginia Tech shooting massacre. John Roberts and Kiran Chetry were live on-location at Virginia Tech.
Developing Story: Rumors are circulating that longtime CNN Domestic anchor Tony Harris is leaving the network at the end of the month.
