CBS News has announced three big reporter changes this morning:
Jim Axelrod is becoming chief White House correspondent, Lara Logan is becoming chief foreign correspondent , and Byron Pitts is becoming national correspondent. All three moves are effective Feb. 6.
> Axelrod will replace John Roberts at 1600 Penn. Ave. He and his family will relocate to Washington, D.C. soon.
> Pitts will cover “the biggest domestic and breaking stories” and include a new beat focusing on “faith, family and the culture.
Quotes from Sean McManus are after the jump…
McManus on Axelrod: “I have never seen a reporter as intensely driven as Jim. That aggressiveness will serve him and CBS News very well on the White House beat, one of the most crucial and competitive for any news organization. I can’t wait to turn him loose.”
McManus on Logan: “CBS News’ corps of international correspondents is one of the Division’s greatest strengths, and Lara contributes significantly to the standard of excellence they have collectively set. From datelines around the world, especially Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East, she has proved time and again how dedicated she is to reporting on and from the hottest spots in international news. This new assignment will broaden the range of stories she’ll report, and she’ll continue to report for 60 MINUTES.”
McManus on Pitts: “Byron has emerged as one of the best on-scene reporters and storytellers in the business. He talks to viewers in a strikingly direct way, and his ability to get to the heart of a story and relate that eloquently is one of his many strengths. This new assignment will showcase Byron’s skills on the most important domestic and breaking stories, as well as a new area of concentration — faith, family and the culture.”