CNN Launches 'Race Team'

CNN President Jeff Zucker informed employees Monday that the cable news network plans to launch a "new and expanded" team to "shed a light on the growing movement against institutional racism," Tjhe Hill reports.

“I could not be prouder of the impactful work that CNN has done on every platform in the last few years – and especially in the last several weeks – covering race and racial injustice in America," Zucker said in an internal staff memo. "Our reporting has been powerful, emotional, and helped to shed a light on the growing movement against institutional racism. Today, I am pleased to announce that we are making an even more significant, sustained commitment to ensure race coverage is a permanent part of our journalism."

Jeff Zucker

“The recent conversations we’ve had in our newsrooms have been informative and constructive. We have valued them, we heard you, and we will continue listening," the 55-year-old said. "There are structural changes and investments we can and will make to better cover what is happening in our society. We are committed to doing that.”

“In that spirit, we are pleased to share the news of a new and expanded race team, which will contribute to all CNN platforms,” Zucker added. “This team will build on what so many do already at CNN and will provide the needed structure to cover this beat with more focus and force.”

The race team will be headed by former Associated Press Chicago Deputy News Director Delano Massey.