Following the recent upheaval at CNN, including the dismissal of CEO Chris Licht, prominent liberal podcaster Kara Swisher has publicly advised Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav to relinquish control and allow experienced journalists to guide the network's future.

Swisher, known for her strong opinions, expressed her skepticism about Zaslav's approach to journalism during an episode of her podcast, "Pivot." She argued against Zaslav's push for a strict "centrist" approach, suggesting it was a misguided attempt to fix the network's perceived bias. She believes this strategy, implemented through the now-ousted Licht, ultimately backfired.

Swisher recounted "vexing" conversations with Zaslav, characterizing his understanding of journalism as outdated and simplistic. She believes his focus on programming, while valuable in other contexts, is insufficient to address the complexities of running a news organization.

A source close to Zaslav revealed to Fox News Digital that the CEO's increased involvement with CNN stemmed from Licht's need for support. However, this intervention seemingly failed to prevent Licht's downfall.

Swisher also pointed to the influence of Warner Bros. Discovery board member John Malone, who has previously criticized CNN's perceived lack of journalistic integrity. Malone has advocated for a return to nonpartisan reporting, even praising Fox News for incorporating "actual journalism" within its opinion-based programming.

Licht's tenure, marked by internal struggles and controversies like the Trump town hall, ultimately ended after just over a year. An interim leadership team, comprised of Amy Entelis, Virginia Moseley, Eric Sherling, and new COO David Leavy, is now at the helm, leaving the network's future direction uncertain.