December 27, 2001	Thursday	Shawwal 11, 1422

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 26: The Asian American Journalists Association expressed “deep dismay” on Tuesday over the announced departure from CNN of Asian American anchor Joie Chen, arguing it signalled a backslide in diversity on the network’s anchor desk.

Chen, one of the nation’s most prominent female Asian American anchors was laid off, along with about 30 other all-news network employees, on Dec 7 when CNN cancelled her show, “NewsSite,” according to the group.

In a letter sent to CNN Executive Vice President and General Manager Sid Bedingfield, AAJA National President Victor Panichkul said that with Chen’s departure, CNN has lost the last high-profile anchor of colour on their main news channel.

“With the earlier departure of Bernard Shaw and with the move of Leon Harris and Carol Lin off prime-time hours, CNN has managed to reshuffle its main anchor desk to an all-white male newscast,” the association said.—AFP