NAIROBI, Kenya – Veteran international journalist Christiane Amanpour is preparing to leave CNN after 43 years, bringing an end to one of the longest and most recognisable careers in the broadcaster’s international news division as the network enters a new era under corporate ownership.
Amanpour, 68, announced her decision on Monday, October 19, saying she had spent months considering the move before deciding to part ways with the American news network.
“After many months of thought and a few sleepless nights, I have decided to separate from CNN, my partner of 43 fantastic years!” she said in a statement.
Her departure is scheduled for June 2027, but her exit from daily broadcasting will begin earlier. Her flagship CNN International programme, Amanpour, is expected to become a weekly show at the beginning of 2027 before ending in May.
Her PBS programme, Amanpour & Co., will conclude at the end of 2026. She plans to continue her podcast, The Ex Files, and has indicated that she intends to pursue other projects.
The announcement comes at a significant moment for CNN, following the completion of Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery on October 6, which brought CNN and CBS News under the same corporate umbrella.
Although Amanpour did not directly attribute her departure to the takeover, her emphasis on editorial independence has drawn attention amid wider questions about the future of journalism under the new ownership.
‘Always Be Truthful, Not Neutral’
In announcing her decision, Amanpour highlighted the pressures facing journalists, including political and financial interests and the growing dangers of reporting from conflict zones.
“You know that I’ve always been fiercely independent, and I will continue to be that for you for as long as I am here and beyond,” she said in a message to viewers.
She added that independence was particularly important at a time when journalists faced “unprecedented pressures from all sides”.
Amanpour ended her statement with a phrase that has become closely associated with her approach to journalism: “Remember: always be truthful, not neutral.”
Her remarks have taken on added significance following the change in CNN’s corporate ownership. The Ellison family, which backs the new media structure, has faced scrutiny over its ties to US President Donald Trump, a frequent critic of CNN.
The ownership change has prompted concerns among some journalists and media observers about whether corporate and political relationships could influence editorial decisions.
However, Amanpour has not said that the takeover prompted her departure, and CNN has not confirmed that the two developments are connected.
In a memo carried by US media, CNN chief executive Mark Thompson praised her contribution to the network and said her decision followed months of discussions.
“Like so many CNNers who will hear the news today, I’m very sorry to see her go, but I’ve come to accept that this is the right time for her, both personally and professionally,” Thompson said.
From News Assistant To Global War Correspondent
Amanpour began working at CNN in 1983 as an assistant on the international assignment desk, long before becoming one of the network’s most recognisable journalists.
Her international profile grew significantly during the 1991 Gulf War, following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 and the subsequent US-led military campaign.
She went on to report from some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones, including Bosnia, Rwanda, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Ukraine.
Her coverage brought international attention to wars, humanitarian crises and political upheavals, while her interviews with presidents, political leaders and other influential figures helped establish her reputation as a leading global correspondent.
Over four decades, she moved from supporting international news operations to becoming CNN’s chief international anchor, covering events that shaped global politics and security.
Her career has also included reporting on the human consequences of conflict, including displacement, civilian suffering and the challenges facing societies emerging from war.
CNN And PBS Programmes Face A Transition
Amanpour’s departure will unfold in stages rather than as an immediate exit from broadcasting.
Her daily CNN programme will be reduced to a weekly format in early 2027 and conclude in May, with her formal departure from the network expected in June.
Her PBS programme, Amanpour & Co., will end in December 2026, marking a separate transition for viewers who have followed her interviews and international coverage on public television.
She has not announced the full details of her future projects, but said she was looking forward to new opportunities while continuing to support CNN and its tradition of independent journalism.
The planned continuation of her podcast also means her departure from CNN will not necessarily mark the end of her work in journalism.
A Departure At A Defining Moment For International News
Amanpour’s exit comes as major news organisations face questions about how to protect editorial independence while operating within increasingly consolidated media companies.
The Paramount Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery has brought CNN and CBS News under common ownership, placing two major American news organisations within the same corporate structure.
