Overview

• CNN CEO Mark Thompson directed journalists to avoid expressing personal outrage or heavily focusing on Donald Trump's past controversies during his second inauguration coverage.
• The guidance, shared in a virtual editorial meeting, emphasized being 'fair-minded' and forward-looking rather than revisiting Trump's legal issues or impeachments.
• Thompson's approach marks a shift from CNN's previous leadership under Jeff Zucker, which often took a more confrontational stance toward Trump.
• CNN's coverage of the inauguration saw lower television viewership compared to competitors like Fox News, though its digital platforms experienced significant engagement spikes.
• This strategic shift aligns with Warner Bros. Discovery's broader directive for CNN to adopt a more neutral tone in its reporting.