Report: CNN Don Lemon Survives, But On Short Leash

Don Lemon has survived the broom sweeping through CNN — but the Don Lemon Tonight weekday prime-time anchor has been placed on notice, Radar On Line is reporting.

As the Chris Licht era of the ratings starved network begins to take shape, after the firing of Brian Stelter and Jeffrey Toobin, many had expected the changes to ensnare Lemon.

But Lemon has received the backing of the cable giant’s chairman and chief executive officer, according to Radar.

“Don has been told he’s safe,” according to a source.  “But, like many, he has been left under no illusions that he cannot use the airwaves of CNN to spout opinion and be a bugle of the liberal set. Don was reminded CNN is a bipartisan news network like no other.

“The message was delivered loud and clear: if he wants to do liberal opinion, he should try and get a job at MSNBC.”

Last week, Lemon flip-flopped on the Licht regime at CNN when he was asked on Comedy Central's Hell Of A Week by host Charlamagne Tha God whether he’d been told to dial it down.

So, let me just say I don't think that's exactly what Chris is saying,” Lemon said.

“I think that's a narrative that's been placed in the media. I think what Chris wants to do is to be able to have Republicans and Democrats and whatever your political stance is on CNN so that you can be accountable and that you can answer for it.”

The interview was said to have “irked” Licht who used it to quietly caution Lemon that he “didn’t want his on-air talent discussing internal matters outside of CNN headquarters,” the source said.

Meanwhile, Deadline reports CNN’s chairman and CEO Chris Licht told anxious staffers Friday that more changes are coming to CNN, as he addressed the news of Brian Stelter’s exit following the cancellation of his Sunday show Reliable Sources.

According to sources who were present, Licht told CNN employees at Friday’s well-attended editorial meeting, “There will be moves you may not agree with or understand.” Some took that to mean they may not like some of the changes.

He added, “I want to acknowledge to everyone that this is a time of change. I know that it is unsettling.”

Licht also expressed some irritation over some media reports about CNN’s plans, characterizing them as incorrect assumptions. The exec stressed to staff that those fluid plans are only known by a few in CNN management’s inner circle.