MUMBAI: Faced with mounting competition from Rupert Murdoch's Fox and other news networks CNN is said to be looking at a major changes in its functioning in the US.
Reports indicate that CNN US' executive VP, GM Princell Hair is in the process of instituting a massive shake-up. The aim is to consolidate bureaus and create an editorial director position and several departments, including a "futures" unit. Hair is believed to have sent a memo to CNN staff in America a few days ago outlining a six-part plan for improving the network's efficiency, internal accountability and on-air consistency.
Last year in September the network had announced an internal reorganisation. The main change was in the way CNN collected its news. The move gave give CNN's branch offices more room to decide which news events they wanted to cover. Hair took over as CNN's GM in the US. He replaced Teya Ryan.
In another development Joe Johns has joined CNN as a Capitol Hill correspondent. He recently served as a correspondent for NBC News. Johns covered Capitol Hill for NBC News for over a decade. Hair was quoted in a company release saying, "Joe is a highly respected political correspondent. He brings instant credibility and extensive contacts to his role, and we are delighted that he will be joining our team."