Oliver Darcy, CNN’s most prominent media reporter, has resigned from the network. He announced on Thursday that he plans to launch an independent media-focused newsletter called Status. The new venture will operate on a subscription basis without external backing. “The paid readers will empower my independent voice,” Darcy told The New York Post.
Since taking over CNN’s “Reliable Sources” newsletter in 2022 following Brian Stelter’s exit, Darcy has been a major voice within the media landscape. He joined CNN in 2017 and became a leading figure in media reporting. His critiques of CNN culminated in June 2023 when he voiced concerns under then-CEO Chris Licht regarding the executive’s leadership.
CNN, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, is undergoing a significant restructuring under new CEO Mark Thompson, who has recently announced 100 job cuts. On Wednesday, Warner Bros. Discovery reported a $10 billion net loss for the second quarter, missing Wall Street expectations and resulting in a 10 percent drop in its stock price.
In his tenure at “Reliable Sources,” Darcy made notable contributions, including uncovering MSNBC’s decision to pull “Morning Joe” following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Commenting on Darcy’s departure, Thompson acknowledged Darcy’s role as “a tough but scrupulously fair leading voice in media reporting and commentary.”
CNN confirmed that “Reliable Sources” would take a summer break and return in the fall with a new writer. In the meantime, Darcy’s “Status” will launch its first issue on Monday.