Is CBS News Chief Only Joking About Leaving?

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Mixed Media

by Jeff Bercovici

Main

Late Breaks: CNBC Thrives; Downie Re... Idle Chatter: Clear Channel, 'NYT,' ...

Mar 26 2008 8:37AM EDT

Buried lede alert! Bill Carter's story in today's New York Times is nominally about CBS's effort to nail down a Democratic primary debate -- not exactly a new topic, although Carter says the network "may get its wish this week."

But the real news is hidden way down in the story, well past the jump. The stormy reign of Shelley Ross, who was brought in to run The Early Show but shown the door after nearly causing a staff revolt, "has led some at CBS News to question. [Sean] McManus's willingness to lead the news division."

Carter continues:

Mr. McManus has been a successful and well-liked president of CBS Sports, a job he still holds. Members of the news staff reported having heard him say in asides and casual comments that he would like to be back running sports exclusively.

McManus claims he was only joking when he said such things, and insists he has "no intention of leaving CBS News until we finish the job." And what, exactly, would constitute "finishing the job"?

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