‘TYRANT’ & RAVES

Jeers and cheers for new CNN newsroom boss

CNN’s new boss tapped a hardcharging, controversial executive to run the struggling network’s newsroom, with some of the rank and file claiming that she is a “tyrant” with “no people skills whatsoever.”

Mark Thompson, a British-born media mogul who took the helm as CNN’s CEO in October, on Wednesday named Virginia Moseley to the new role of executive editor at the left-leaning outlet.

CNN staffers were immediately on edge over the promotion of Moseley, 61, according to sources. While one insider called her an “astute, excellent journalist,” others complained about Moseley’s fierce approach to management.

“Tyrant is the word that you hear used the most to describe her,” said a source. “She has reduced reporters and producers to tears. She fires before she aims.”

The source added that Moseley “swirls things up,” “magnifying” small mistakes, “blowing them up” to make you feel like “the whole world is coming unglued and she alone can fix it.”

‘Iron-fisted’

Moseley had been one of three interim execs steering the network after Thompson’s predecessor, Chris Licht, was ousted after roughly a year at the helm. At the time, sources described Moseley as a manager with an “iron-fisted” work ethic, demanding everyone show up to the office during the pandemic.

Some CNN sources sang Moseley’s praises, saying she is “passionate leader” who “goes to bat” for her reporters. They added that she is liked by on air-talent and holds formidable expertise in Washington politics.

CNN’s new CEO, Mark Thompson (right), has named Virginia Moseley (left) executive editor in charge of the network’s newsroom, to the dismay of many staffers who dislike her style. She has reduced reporters and producers to tears. She fires before she aims.

— CNN insider

“Virginia is an amazing leader,” Chief Operating Officer David Leavy told The Post. “You don’t get to this level without making some hard decisions. She’s extraordinarily well-respected.”

“She’s a brilliant newsperson, who has guided us through some difficult news stories,” Leavy added, referring to CNN’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

“You can be an excellent journalist without being an a--hole,” countered another source. “There was an undercurrent of hope that Mark would find someone else [for the role].”

“People are shocked,” added a third source, explaining that the promotion demonstrates that Thompson hasn’t been listening to employees — and that it doesn’t bode well for the network’s future.

Neither CNN nor Moseley commented.

Insiders noted that Moseley has strong relationships with both Thompson and Leavy, the powerful consigliere of David Zaslav, the CEO of CNNparent Warner Bros. Discovery.

“Mark has a good rapport with Virginia. He cites conversations they have about stories [in the morning meeting],” a network source added. “She is very good about laughing and smiling — and then she’ll turn around and cut you. She talks. She stirs things up.”

While some inside CNN said that Thompson’s elevation of Moseley didn’t meaningfully change much, others said it solidified fears from New York-based staffers inside, namely that coverage is too DC-focused.

Moseley spent 10 years at CBS News and had a stint at ABC News before joining CNN in 2012 to manage CNN’s White House, National Security and Justice Department, among other political reporting teams.

The exec is married to Tom Nides, vice chairman of Wells Fargo and a former US ambassador to Israel.