Q&A on the News
COX NEWS SERVICE
Tucson, Arizona Published: 12.03.2005
Question: Aaron Brown is no longer a news anchor at CNN. What happened?
Answer: Brown, 57, was axed from CNN on Nov. 2, according to several news reports. His 9 p.m. "NewsNight" slot was replaced by Anderson Cooper's program, "Anderson Cooper 360°," which previously ran at 7 p.m. Brown joined CNN in 2001 and once was touted as the face of the all-news network.
Brown's firing was far from unexpected, according to the New York Post, which said "NewsNight" had been a ratings drag on the network's prime-time lineup for about two years.
With more than 26 years of experience as a journalist, Brown is best known for his compelling coverage of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, from Ground Zero and areas surrounding the remains of the World Trade Center in New York. Other stories he covered included the Columbine High School shootings, the O.J. Simpson trial, Nelson Mandela's historic election as president of South Africa and the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
He drew criticism in 2003 for refusing to go on air after the space shuttle Columbia broke apart on re-entry. He opted instead to continue playing golf in the Bob Hope Classic tournament.
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Brown is said to be enjoying the break and is in no hurry to go back to work. It helps that he is still being paid on his approximately $1.5 million contract, which runs out in July 2007.
COX NEWS SERVICE
Tucson, Arizona Published: 12.03.2005
Question: Aaron Brown is no longer a news anchor at CNN. What happened?
Answer: Brown, 57, was axed from CNN on Nov. 2, according to several news reports. His 9 p.m. "NewsNight" slot was replaced by Anderson Cooper's program, "Anderson Cooper 360°," which previously ran at 7 p.m. Brown joined CNN in 2001 and once was touted as the face of the all-news network.
Brown's firing was far from unexpected, according to the New York Post, which said "NewsNight" had been a ratings drag on the network's prime-time lineup for about two years.
With more than 26 years of experience as a journalist, Brown is best known for his compelling coverage of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, from Ground Zero and areas surrounding the remains of the World Trade Center in New York. Other stories he covered included the Columbine High School shootings, the O.J. Simpson trial, Nelson Mandela's historic election as president of South Africa and the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
He drew criticism in 2003 for refusing to go on air after the space shuttle Columbia broke apart on re-entry. He opted instead to continue playing golf in the Bob Hope Classic tournament.
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Brown is said to be enjoying the break and is in no hurry to go back to work. It helps that he is still being paid on his approximately $1.5 million contract, which runs out in July 2007.
