Howard Kurtz Leaving CNN for Fox News
"Reliable Sources" host Howard Kurtz is leaving CNN after 15 years to join Fox News, where he will anchor a new version of the weekend media show currently called "Fox News Watch."
The news comes just over a month after Kurtz apologized for his incorrect coverage of NBA player Jason Collins' coming out as gay. In a "Reliable Sources" mea culpa, he said his joking about Collins was "completely inappropriate" and apologized for errors, adding that as a reporter covering the media, he should be held to a higher standard.
In addition to anchoring the new version of "Fox News Watch," Kurtz will also serve as an on-air analyst and write a regular column on FoxNews.com. Jon Scott, current anchor of "Fox News Watch," will move to the specials unit, where he will serve as anchor.
"I'm excited to be bringing my independent brand of media criticism to Fox News," Kurtz said in a statement. "I want to thank CNN for giving me such a prime opportunity over the years and was tempted to continue, but the chance to create a revamped program and establish a strong online presence was too good to pass up. I hope to add a new dimension to Fox's coverage and have some fun while diving into the passionate debates about the press and politics."
"Howie is the most accomplished media reporter in the country," said Michael Clemente, Fox's executive vice president of news. "He's also a master of social media trends, information good and bad, and a veteran political reporter. Altogether, he will add even greater depth to a very accomplished team of reporters and anchors."
Kurtz, who spent years with the Washington Post, parted ways with the Daily Beast, where he was Washington bureau chief, after the Collins mistake. In a Daily Beast post, Kurtz originally wrote that Collins "didn't come clean" about the fact that he had been engaged to a woman, and later amended his post to say that Collins "downplayed" the engagement. In fact, Collins had bluntly addressed his past engagement.
Kurtz said last month that his Daily Beast exit was an "amicable divorce" that was already in the works before he made the Collins error.
"Howie Kurtz has served as host of Reliable Sources for 15 years, developing it into a leading source for commentary and critique on the media," CNN said in a statement Thursday. "We thank him for all his contributions to CNN, and wish him all the best in this new opportunity. Reliable Sources will continue on CNN, and will be hosted by a variety of people in the coming months."
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