From Lester Holt to Norah O’Donnell, Why Are Anchors Leaving the News Desk?

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As a passionate cinema-goer, I’m sharing some thoughts on the recent announcement by Lester Holt that he’s stepping down from his role as anchor for “NBC Nightly News.” This development is just one more in a series of departures we’ve been seeing, and it arrives at a time when our national television news media could certainly use a boost.

Veteran news anchor Lester Holt, known for his steadiness during critical breaking news events, recently declared that he will focus his efforts on the newsmagazine “Dateline” in the future. However, his decision to step away from the popular 30-minute nightly broadcast, which continues to captivate millions of viewers, marks a recurring trend. Previously, Chuck Todd departed NBC News this year following his exit as moderator for “Meet the Press” in 2023; Hoda Kotb left “Today” in January; and Norah O’Donnell broadcast her final episode on “CBS Evening News” last month. This wave of changes occurs amidst a period of significant media transformation, which has also led to leadership changes at MSNBC, where Joy Reid and Alex Wagner are no longer weeknight anchors.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve noticed an unsettling trend in TV news over the past decade. This shift, triggered by the internet and social media, and amplified by a political figure who has declared war on the press, has left a lasting impact. Each new hire now seems to pale in comparison to the giants of journalism who came before them. It’s not just common sense; Lester Holt, for instance, has been anchoring “Nightly” for a decade and was the weekend anchor for seven years prior. It goes without saying that his successor won’t inherit the trust he has earned over the years.

The issue, however, is not just about trust. A significant portion of the audience may refuse to give the newcomer a fair chance. For those who, since Trump’s 2016 campaign escalator descent, have come to view the media as the enemy, and yet held on to a quiet appreciation for Holt, seeing another link to truth severed is a troubling sight indeed.

Prior to the Trump presidency, all of Holt, Todd, Kotb, and O’Donnell had established careers in television news. This background gave them a certain level of credibility, even among voters who were politically activated by the current president’s skepticism and open hostility towards journalists. Newcomers to the scene don’t have this advantage; they must work hard to build their reputation and create a solid record. They face not just the challenge of a distracted audience but also an increasingly anti-institutionalist attitude in society. For example, on NBC’s morning show, Craig Melvin, who replaced Kotb, is already familiar to viewers due to his previous roles, but he must still strive to become a household name in this busy news environment. Achieving this will require time, dedication, and perhaps a calming of the current news cycle that hasn’t happened yet.

It’s clear why, for someone like Holt or O’Donnell, stepping away from the constant grind of daily news broadcasting can be appealing. With O’Donnell now taking up her new role as a senior correspondent, she has more freedom to take on high-profile assignments across various CBS News platforms. Similarly, Holt now has more time to delve into impactful journalism outside of the daily routine. Interestingly, O’Donnell’s own network seems to consider the position of chief newsreader as somewhat peripheral to its core operations, choosing instead to replace her with a pair of co-anchors, Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson. This shift in focus is on featuring correspondents in the field rather than the person reading from the teleprompter.

In simpler terms, it can be quite expected for commentators with a certain perspective to become somewhat haughty, considering that the anchor position at CBS was previously held by Walter Cronkite, who provided crucial updates during tumultuous periods. However, in today’s chaotic times, it’s notable not just that there isn’t a figure like Cronkite to unify us, but also that those who come close are fading away. The TV industry often experiences cycles, but the gradual loss of relevance in news broadcasting now seems much quicker and more unsettling. It’s easy to understand why the stars want to depart from this situation, but it’s challenging to predict what will happen next for everyone else, including viewers at home and an electorate growing increasingly detached from facts.

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2025-02-24 21:47