Rachel Smolkin, a seasoned media executive at CNN, is leaving the network to become the new president and CEO of Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). OPB expressed confidence in Smolkin’s ability to lead the organization through a challenging period for the journalism industry and public media. Smolkin is recognized for her journalism experience, business acumen, and leadership skills, making her an ideal fit for the role.
During her time at CNN, Smolkin led politics coverage for CNN Digital and played a key role in transforming the network’s digital news coverage to adapt to the changing media landscape. She expanded her responsibilities to include coverage of national, international, business, and live news. Smolkin also led the innovative approach to US election coverage, ensuring that CNN’s audience received real-time updates across various platforms and devices.
CNN’s executive editor, Virginia Moseley, praised Smolkin for her exceptional leadership in recruiting and supporting talented journalists, developing the network’s breaking news brand, and emphasizing service journalism and fact checks in storytelling. Smolkin’s departure from CNN poses a challenge for the network as it, like other media companies, grapples with disruptions in the digital and broadcast advertising markets and the impact of advancing artificial intelligence on traditional journalism.
Despite challenges in the industry, OPB has seen growth in contributions from donors over the past decade. Both the broadcaster and Smolkin underscore the importance of creative thinking to ensure OPB continues to meet the needs of its audience in the future. Smolkin, who holds an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, expressed her enthusiasm for leading OPB and working towards building news and public affairs programming for Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
As Smolkin prepares to take on her new role at OPB in September, she will succeed Steve Bass, who has served as CEO since 2006 and announced his retirement last year. Smolkin’s previous experience includes working at Politico, USA Today, and the American Journalism Review. Her appointment comes amidst a period of change for media organizations, with the recent announcement of Sam Feist’s departure from CNN to become the CEO of C-SPAN, adding to the shifts in leadership within the industry.
