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Dan Rather says in talks to leave CBS

Posted on: Thursday, 15 June 2006, 17:12 CDT

By Claudia Parsons

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dan Rather, once one of the most powerful men in U.S. television news, says he is preparing to leave the CBS network after more than four decades as an anchorman and reporter.

Rather, whose reputation was tarnished by a reporting scandal last year, said in an interview published on Thursday on trade magazine Television Week's Web site that he was in talks to leave CBS News when his contract expires in November.

"Finishing details are being worked out for me to leave CBS News after 44 years," he said, adding that the situation would be resolved soon.

Both CBS Corp. and CBS News officials declined to comment on earlier reports on Thursday that the veteran reporter would leave the flagship news magazine show "60 Minutes" in November.

But the jackals were out and Vanity Fair media columnist Michael Wolff said a Washington Post story saying CBS executives had decided there was no future role for Rather was an effort to drive him out "in the lowest possible manner."

Rather, 74, did not return calls for comment.

The newsman has been reporting for "60 Minutes" since he stepped down as anchor of the main CBS evening news last year after 24 years. His final months were marred by a reporting scandal that tarnished his reputation.

In January 2005, an independent panel found that CBS News failed to authenticate documents used to substantiate a September 8, 2004, broadcast that said President George W. Bush received preferential treatment while serving in the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War. The broadcast came about two months before Bush's re-election for a second term and CBS was criticized for rushing out the story.

Rather, known for his blunt questioning and homespun style, was criticized but escaped disciplinary action.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Rather's departure as anchor was part of a changing of the guard in network news, which has come under growing pressure to compete with cable and Internet news services.

Former "Today" show host Katie Couric will take over in September as anchor of the main CBS evening news and she is also slated to contribute to "60 Minutes."

CNN's Anderson Cooper has also been signed up as a part-time contributor, adding to the pressure for space after the cancellation of the midweek edition of "60 Minutes."

A CBS source confirmed that Rather's contract at "60 Minutes" was due to expire in November. "I'm convinced that management has shown he's finished," the source said.

"They obviously chose a rather rude way to show him the door," the source added.

In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer published on Wednesday, Rather said he had barely exchanged more than a "hello" with CBS News president Sean McManus for months. He said he had been in contract talks for more than three months.

"We've had no conversations about carrying on at '60 Minutes,"' he was quoted as saying. "My position is, I want to work. Maybe it's my hubris, but I still think there are things I can contribute, and I want an opportunity to do that."

Rather went on to say that he had listened to some proposals for his future elsewhere.

"I have no sadness," Rather said.

Vanity Fair's Wolff said CBS considered Rather an uncomfortable reminder of last year's scandal. "They feel embarrassed by what they did to him ... they just want him to go away," Wolff said.

"I'm sure they've been trying to get him out of there for weeks if not months, and he's not going, so now they're just trying to embarrass him out of there," Wolff said.

(Additional reporting by Robert MacMillan and Kenneth Li)

Source: REUTERS

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