Javier Guzman, a senior broadcast producer for “CBS Evening News,” has been fired following Wednesday’s broadcast, shortly after Tony Dokoupil assumed the anchor position. Sources familiar with the situation indicated that internal disagreements, particularly with executive producer Kim Harvey, may have contributed to Guzman’s departure.
The reason for Guzman’s dismissal remains unclear, with CBS News declining to comment on the matter. His exit has reportedly left several staff members at the network’s headquarters in Manhattan visibly upset, questioning the lack of communication from management regarding his termination. Colleagues described Guzman as a highly respected figure in the newsroom and indicated that many were left seeking answers during Thursday morning’s editorial meeting.
Before becoming senior broadcast producer, Guzman spent nearly eight years as a senior producer for the evening news segment and held the position of supervising producer for “CBSN: On Assignment,” as highlighted on his LinkedIn profile. The news of his firing was initially reported by the Guardian.
Dokoupil has been under scrutiny since taking over as anchor, particularly for his style of coverage and comments surrounding sensitive topics. His recent framing of the January 6 attack on the Capitol raised eyebrows for appearing to adopt a “both-sides” approach rather than unequivocally denouncing the violence associated with Trump supporters. Moreover, his lighthearted remarks regarding Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s multiple roles have also sparked controversy.
Guzman’s dismissal comes amid other challenges facing CBS News, including the October appointment of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief, which elicited criticism for her limited experience in traditional newsrooms and her previous association with the right-leaning Free Press. Weiss faced backlash after she halted the airing of a “60 Minutes” segment about the Trump administration’s deportation of Venezuelans, claiming the piece did not add new insights to what had already been covered by other media outlets.
This turbulent period for CBS News underscores the complexities and pressures of navigating modern journalism, especially in light of ongoing political controversies. With Dokoupil currently on a nationwide “Live from America” tour, his ability to address staff concerns while managing editorial direction will be closely watched in the days to come.