CNN’s chief legal affairs correspondent Paula Reid is leaving the network to join MS NOW, according to reports from Variety and The Los Angeles Times. Reid’s decision comes as Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery—CNN’s parent company—raises concerns about the network’s future direction.
Reid’s departure follows the expiration of her contract, which she chose not to renew. Sources familiar with her plans indicate that uncertainty over CNN’s leadership under the new ownership played a role in her decision. MS NOW declined to confirm the move, stating it does not comment on personnel matters but praised Reid’s journalism.
Paramount’s role in CNN’s future has sparked internal debate. Reports suggest Bari Weiss, the controversial editor-in-chief of CBS News, may take a leadership role at CNN. Weiss, appointed by Paramount in October, has faced pushback at CBS for shifting coverage toward a more politically centrist approach. Some CNN insiders express concern over her potential stewardship of a larger, more complex organization.
Internal resistance at CBS News has been strong, with executives and on-air talent criticizing Weiss’s changes. The merger’s regulatory approval process has added pressure, as Paramount seeks to align with the Trump White House. Meanwhile, CNN insiders cite job security and editorial direction as primary concerns, with some predicting a potential ‘bloodbath’ if CBS and CNN operations merge.
Reid joined CNN in 2021 after working as a White House correspondent for CBS News. Neither CNN nor MS NOW has officially confirmed her departure.