Amid a year in which racial tension has fueled major cultural changes throughout the United States, CNN announced plans to add an “institutional racism” team to expand its coverage on issues of diversity.
In an internal memo sent by CNN President Jeff Zucker, employees were thanked for their coverage of “racial injustice” before the cable news network head promised to make “race coverage” a critical part of the newsroom moving forward.
“I could not be prouder of the impactful work that CNN has done on every platform in the last few years — and especially in the last several weeks — covering race and racial injustice in America,” Zucker wrote. “Our reporting has been powerful, emotional, and helped to shed a light on the growing movement against institutional racism. Today, I am pleased to announce that we are making an even more significant, sustained commitment to ensure race coverage is a permanent part of our journalism.”
CNN’s Jeff Zucker announces new reporting team to cover race and systemic racism. Memo to staff: pic.twitter.com/3rPvEgyKSb
— David Folkenflik (@davidfolkenflik) July 13, 2020
CNN has experienced a boom in viewers following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died while in custody of the Minneapolis Police Department on Memorial Day, setting off months of destructive protests. The Atlanta-based network, the headquarters of which were attacked by angry protesters, reported its highest viewership for a quarter in the 40-year history of the cable news giant.
“In that spirit, we are pleased to share the news of a new and expanded race team, which will contribute to all CNN platforms,” Zucker added. “This team will build on what so many do already at CNN and will provide the needed structure to cover this beat with more focus and force.”
The race team will be led by former Associated Press Chicago Deputy News Director Delano Massey.
