John Dickerson will leave CBS News after 16 years
Veteran journalist John Dickerson is set to leave CBS News at the end of 2025, marking yet another high-profile departure from the network during a period of internal turbulence and growing unease over editorial independence.
Dickerson, one of CBS’s most respected figures, confirmed his exit in an emotional statement posted to Instagram and later shared during an internal meeting with CBS Evening News staff. The anchor expressed gratitude for his 16-year tenure with the network, where he held multiple prominent roles including moderator of “Face the Nation,” chief political analyst, and most recently, co-anchor of “CBS Evening News.”
> “I’m deeply thankful for all that CBS has given me — the work, the audience’s trust, and the honor of being part of its legacy,” Dickerson wrote. “Most of all, I’m grateful for my colleagues who have made me a better journalist and a better human being.”
Departure Comes Amid Leadership Shake-Ups
Dickerson’s announcement follows a series of notable resignations inside CBS News this year, as questions swirl about the network’s editorial direction under new leadership. The changes began after Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, was acquired by Skydance Media, a deal spearheaded by billionaire David Ellison.
Since the acquisition, CBS has undergone major restructuring. Bari Weiss, a controversial media figure known for her criticism of traditional journalism institutions, was appointed editor-in-chief and tasked with overhauling the network’s flagship programs — including CBS Evening News. Reports suggest Weiss is considering Fox News anchor Bret Baier as a potential replacement for Dickerson.
A Network Under Pressure
The transition has not been without controversy. Prior to the Skydance takeover, former CBS owner Shari Redstone reportedly settled a lawsuit with the Trump administration related to a 60 Minutes interview with then–presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Critics accused Redstone of compromising the network’s integrity to secure regulatory approval for the sale — an allegation that sparked unease among journalists across CBS.
Several senior figures have since left, including the president and CEO of CBS News in May, who said she no longer aligned with the company’s “path forward,” and a 60 Minutes executive producer who cited the loss of journalistic independence as his reason for resigning.
Dickerson’s Subtle Criticism of CBS’s Direction
While Dickerson’s farewell message did not directly address the turmoil, he previously voiced concerns about the impact of the Paramount settlement on CBS’s credibility.
> “We pride ourselves on our BS detector,” he said on CBS Evening News Plus in July. “The stakes are real when it fails — the loss of public trust, the spread of misinformation. Can you hold power to account after paying it millions?”
The End of a Two-Anchor Experiment
With Dickerson’s departure, industry insiders expect CBS to abandon its two-anchor format, introduced earlier this year to boost ratings for CBS Evening News. His co-anchor, Maurice DuBois, is reportedly in discussions with network leadership about his future role.
CBS News President Tom Cibrowski praised Dickerson in a statement, calling him “a journalist of extraordinary depth, integrity, and humanity.”
Inside the newsroom, reactions have been somber but unsurprised. One CBS staffer told reporters, “He’s one of the best — a true journalist and a good human being. But given everything happening here, this doesn’t shock anyone.”
A Broader Reckoning for Broadcast Journalism
Dickerson’s exit underscores broader anxieties across American newsrooms about corporate ownership and political influence in the media. Once a hallmark of old-school broadcast integrity, CBS now faces a crossroads — one that could reshape its identity for years to come.