Brian Stelter Signs Off in Final Airing of CNN’s ‘Reliable Sources’: ‘America Needs CNN to Be Strong’

thewrap.com:

announced Thursday.After nine years as a host, Stelter reflected on his time at CNN, even thanking CEO Chris Licht, who reportedly wasn’t a fan of Stelter’s opinionated on-camera style, for the “unusual” opportunity to have a final show despite being canceled.The CNN host put the responsibility for holding both CNN and the rest of the media industry accountable on audiences, since “we are all members of the media now.”“But it’s going to be on you to hold CNN accountable,” he said to his viewers, “and not just CNN.

You got to hold your local paper accountable, you got to hold your local digital outlet accountable. It’s on all of us. We are all members of the media, all helping to make it better.”“This show’s going away but there’s gonna be so many more; we need to have room for media criticism and debate and discussion and we will,” Stelter said. “We also must make sure we are representing the full spectrum of debate and representing what’s going on in this country and in this world.”Stelter also noted the ongoing importance and legacy of the program, calling it one of “CNN’s highest-rated weekend shows.” “This small but mighty show punched above its weight for so many years — even a former president commented on its cancelation,” the CNN host said. “I was lucky to be a part of it for nine years but it began 30 years ago, right after the Gulf War.”“The thing about TV is that it’s ephemeral.