John Dickerson, co-anchor of CBS Evening News and one of the network’s most respected journalists, has announced that he will depart CBS News at the end of this year. The news marks the first major talent exit since Paramount Global came under new ownership, signaling a potentially transformative period for the network’s news division.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Dickerson expressed deep gratitude for his time at CBS and for the colleagues and viewers who have supported him throughout his 16-year tenure. “I am extremely grateful for all that CBS gave me—the work, the audience’s attention, and the honor of being a part of the network’s history—and I am grateful to my dear colleagues who’ve made me a better journalist and a better human. I will miss you,” he wrote.

Dickerson, who joined CBS News in 2009, has become synonymous with integrity and thoughtful reporting. Since January, he has co-anchored CBS Evening News alongside Maurice DuBois, ushering in a new format that emphasized in-depth stories and field reporting. Despite their efforts, however, the program has struggled to climb in the ratings. New editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who recently took over leadership of the news division, is reportedly preparing an overhaul of the broadcast as part of her broader plan to reshape CBS News.

Weiss, a former columnist and founder of The Free Press, now reports directly to Paramount CEO David Ellison following Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount Global. Her appointment has sparked both curiosity and controversy within the network, as many are watching closely to see whether her editorial vision—often described as center-right—will influence the network’s traditionally centrist tone.

Dickerson’s departure adds to the atmosphere of uncertainty. Over his years at CBS, he held several of the network’s most prominent positions: moderator of Face the Nation from 2015 to 2018, co-host of CBS This Morning, political director, and chief Washington correspondent. He also served as a correspondent for 60 Minutes, hosted a show for CBS News’ streaming service, and produced the Whistlestop podcast, while contributing to The Atlantic and Slate’s Political Gabfest. Journalism runs in his blood—his mother, Nancy Dickerson, made history as CBS’s first female correspondent.

In his farewell message, Dickerson reflected fondly on his years moderating Face the Nation, describing it as one of the most rewarding chapters of his career. His thoughtful and measured interviewing style earned him respect across political lines, and his voice became one of the most trusted on the Sunday morning circuit.

Behind the scenes, however, CBS News is undergoing significant upheaval. As part of the Federal Communications Commission’s approval of the Skydance-Paramount merger, the company was required to hire an ombudsman to handle viewer complaints. The appointment of Kenneth R. Weinstein—a former president of the conservative Hudson Institute—has raised eyebrows among journalists and media analysts who question the objectivity of such a choice.

Tensions have also risen following CBS’s recent $16 million settlement with Donald Trump, who had sued the network over a 60 Minutes interview with then–Vice President Kamala Harris. Dickerson publicly questioned the decision to settle, warning that it could undermine the network’s journalistic credibility. “The Paramount settlement poses a new obstacle,” he said. “Can you hold power to account after paying it millions? Can an audience trust you when it thinks you’ve traded away that trust? The audience will decide that. Our job is to show up, to honor what we witness on behalf of the people we witness it for.”

CBS News President and Executive Editor Tom Cibrowski confirmed Dickerson’s exit in a memo to staff, calling him “the very best of journalism.” He praised Dickerson’s professionalism and commitment to truth, adding that he will continue co-anchoring CBS Evening News until the holidays. “John has been a model of integrity and thoughtfulness,” Cibrowski wrote. “He leaves behind a legacy of excellence that will continue to inspire.”

Dickerson has not yet announced what he plans to do next, though his extensive experience across television, print, and digital journalism suggests that new opportunities will not be far off.

Meanwhile, CBS’s newsroom remains on edge. Paramount is expected to implement major layoffs in the coming weeks as part of a sweeping corporate restructuring. Weiss’s editorial influence has already become evident in subtle ways. Recent broadcasts, including one where CBS Evening News notably omitted coverage of Donald Trump’s controversial pardon of cryptocurrency billionaire Changpeng Zhao—a story that dominated other networks—have prompted speculation about changing priorities within the newsroom.

Adding to the scrutiny, Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan’s recent interview with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries went viral after she pressed him on Democrats’ use of the term “rigged elections.” Her questioning, sharp and unflinching, underscored the network’s ongoing balancing act in an increasingly polarized media landscape.

Last week, Status reported that Fox News anchor Bret Baier was among the names Weiss had expressed interest in for CBS Evening News. When asked about the speculation on Meghan McCain’s Citizen McCain show, Baier dismissed the rumors, stating, “I’m in a multi-year contract with Fox. I’m very happy at Fox, and we’ll see what happens at the end of that.”

For CBS, John Dickerson’s departure is more than the loss of a respected journalist—it’s a symbolic moment in a network undergoing reinvention. His exit represents both the uncertainty and opportunity of a newsroom in transition. For Dickerson himself, it marks the close of a defining chapter in a remarkable career built on curiosity, integrity, and a steadfast belief in the power of honest journalism.