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Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Dropped By MSNBC, Joan Walsh Goes To CNN


MSNBC has not renewed its contract with Joan Walsh, a political analyst who had appeared on the network for years.

The NYTimes reports Walsh, who is also a national affairs correspondent for The Nation and was previously the editor in chief of Salon, lamented the decision on Saturday on Twitter, saying she had learned her fate the night before while baking with her daughter.



Ms. Walsh said in her tweet that she had worked with MSNBC for a dozen years, including six on contract. Network officials issued a statement calling Ms. Walsh “a key voice on MSNBC for years.”

“Every year we review our paid contributors list across the ideological spectrum,” the statement said. “Unfortunately we couldn’t renew Joan, but she and her distinct perspective will still be invited on our shows.”

Officials said she would be welcome on MSNBC but as an unpaid contributor. Officials said the decision not to renew her contract was made based on the network’s budget and a desire to keep a diverse set of voices on the air.

She had appeared regularly on “Hardball” and “All In” on the network.

Later on Saturday night, Ms. Walsh said on Twitter that she would be joining CNN next year.


A CNN spokeswoman confirmed late Saturday that Ms. Walsh would be joining the network as a commentator.

The network has leaned heavily on opinionated commentators — mostly facilitated by a stable of liberal anchors — and growing interest in the news to foster its rise. MSNBC this year surged into the top spot in prime-time cable news for the first time in 17 years.

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