CBS News President Ingrid Ciprián-Matthews, the first Latina to lead a U.S. English-language news network, announced she is stepping down less than a year after her promotion to the position.
An award-winning journalist with a distinguished career spanning more than three decades in various roles at CBS News, she shared her decision in an email to staff early Wednesday.
“After much consideration, I’ve decided this is the right time to step away from my current role at CBS News and begin to write my next chapter,” she wrote.
She’ll transition to senior editorial adviser at the end of the month and remain with CBS News through the November presidential election, citing the “historical significance of this election and the current political moment.”
She previously oversaw the network’s 2020 presidential election coverage as Washington bureau chief.
Ciprián-Matthews’ announcement comes amid CBS-parent Paramount Global’s merger with Skydance Media, expected to bring significant changes and potential multimillion-dollar cuts. Her successor has not yet been named.
Below is the email she sent to staff:
Hello everyone,
No journalist wants to ‘be’ the news, especially me. But today, I have some news of my own to share. After much consideration, I’ve decided this is the right time to step away from my current role at CBS News and begin to write my next chapter. George and Wendy understand how difficult a decision this has been. They have supported me through this process and for that I am very grateful. At the end of the month, I’ll be transitioning to a new role. I have gladly agreed to stay on through the election as a senior editorial adviser to CBS News, given the historical significance of this election and the current political moment.
Some may be asking why I’m announcing this now. We all know our industry and company are going through a transformation and a number of short- and long-term decisions need to be made. I do not want to be disingenuous with any of you about who should drive these decisions. I’ve always leaned into my integrity and my values and I felt it was important to be transparent at this juncture about my plans.
We all know how demanding our jobs are, but rest assured the work we do matters. Your conviction, your enthusiasm and your love of journalism distinguishes CBS News and fills me with pride. Nothing happens here without each of you, and the dedication and passion of our teams is evident at every level – in every bureau and newsroom. Your commitment to factual reporting with context during challenging times, in our world and our country, is what inspires and encourages me about the future of journalism at CBS News.
Over the past four decades, from NPR and CNN to more than 30 years at CBS, I’ve been able to see much of the world, cover most of the major news events of our lifetimes, and, most of all, work with all of you, in the field, in bureaus, on shows, and from the front office. I am so thankful for each and every one of you and am filled with gratitude for what we have accomplished.
You are the best in the industry, and it shows on every platform and in every story. I am forever honored to call CBS my News home….so now back to the News!
With all my respect,
Ingrid