What does it say when the cable network that considers itself "the most trusted name in news" won't allow a rare critical voice at a time when Americans are worried about democracy? Via The Guardian:

Brian Stelter, host of CNN’s media affairs show Reliable Sources which was cancelled last week after 30 years on air, used his final episode Sunday to make a pointed rebuke of the network’s new bosses and their intention to pursue a more “neutral voice” to its coverage.

“It is not partisan to stand up for decency and democracy and dialogue,” Stelter said in his final monologue, which he stressed was unvetted by CNN management before he delivered it live. “It is not partisan to stand up to demagogues – it’s required, it’s patriotic.”

He added: “We must make sure we do not give a platform to those who are lying to our faces.”

CNN gave Stelter his marching orders last Wednesday, just four months after the network came under new leadership appointed by its owners, Warner Brothers Discovery. CNN head Chris Licht, who took over after the February departure of Jeff Zucker, has indicated that he wants to tone down the opinion quotient of its shows and “return” to an older, straighter and in his view less overtly leftwing style of reporting.

"Overtly leftwing." Informing the viewers when someone is lying isn't in line with straight news?

Chris Licht who, according to Keith Olbermann, served a long stint as Joe Scarborough's personal snitch, used to run to MSNBC management to complain whenever anyone at the network publicly criticized one of Scarborough's "friends" -- and almost every Republican turned out to be one of his friends! Sounds like they're Licht's friends, too. (New corporate owner John Malone is a huge Trump supporter and wacky wingnut.)

Washington Post media critic Margaret Sullivan also retired yesterday and left us with this warning: