Amanpour Leaves CNN Amid Ongoing Debate Over Israel Coverage

Key points

• Amanpour will leave CNN in June 2027 after 43 years, concluding her daily program early next year and her weekly successor in May.
• Her PBS show, 'Amanpour & Company,' will end in December 2026, but she will continue her podcast, 'The Ex Files,' with former State Department official Jamie Rubin.
• Critics, including the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (CAMERA), have long accused her of mischaracterizing events and giving insufficient weight to Israeli security concerns.
• Amanpour faced internal criticism in 2024 for allegedly accusing CNN of pro-Israel bias, while pro-Israel viewers criticized her for foregrounding Palestinian suffering in Gaza.
• Her departure coincides with concerns about editorial independence under new owner David Ellison, who also oversees CBS News.

Background

Amanpour joined CNN in 1983 as a desk assistant and rose to become its chief international anchor. She gained acclaim for reporting on conflicts in Bosnia, Rwanda, and Ukraine, but her coverage of Israel and the Palestinians has been a source of controversy. In 2007, her documentary 'God's Jewish Warriors' drew sharp criticism from CAMERA for its portrayal of Jewish religious life and Israeli settlers. More recently, she apologized in 2025 for remarks comparing surviving Israeli hostages to Gazans, calling them 'insensitive and wrong.' Her departure follows months of discussions with CNN leadership and occurs as the network transitions under Paramount Skydance's $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.

Why it matters

Amanpour's departure marks the end of an era for CNN's international coverage and highlights ongoing tensions between journalistic independence and political pressures. Her legacy is defined by both praise for challenging powerful governments and criticism for perceived biases in Middle East reporting. The move also raises questions about the future of editorial freedom at CNN under new ownership, particularly given concerns about political influence from David Ellison and changes at CBS News.

What to watch

Amanpour will wind down her daily CNN program early next year and conclude its weekly successor in May 2027. Her PBS show will end in December 2026, but she will continue her podcast, 'The Ex Files.' CNN faces scrutiny over its editorial direction under Paramount Skydance ownership, with some pro-Israel observers hoping for a shift in coverage, while others worry about political influence.