CNN Chief Jeff Zucker Resigns over Undisclosed Relationship

CNN president Jeff Zucker resigned from the network, on Wednesday, after failing to disclose a romantic relationship with a senior executive.

In a memo to his colleagues, Zucker affirmed that he was "wrong" to not report the relationship as required.

Zucker revealed that he had worked with the colleague for two decades and that the relationship had "evolved in recent years".

"I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn't," he said. "I was wrong. As a result, I am resigning today."

Although Zucker's memo did not identify the colleague with whom he had a relationship, CNN claimed that she was Allison Gollust, the network's executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

"Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years," she said in a statement quoted by Stelter on air. "Recently, our relationship changed during Covid. I regret that we didn't disclose it at the right time."

The relationship was discovered during an investigation into the conduct of fired CNN anchor Chris Cuomo.

Zucker joined CNN in 2013. Under his leadership, it broke viewership records in 2020 and saw the most viewers in its history during January 2021 - partly as a result of the US Capitol riot on 6 January.

During his time at CNN, he faced criticism from those who believed the network gave too much coverage to the former president, especially during the Republican presidential primary. Even Trump has criticized what he described as unfair coverage.

Zucker is considered one of the most powerful media executives in the US.