CBS cuts Rather loose
Former anchorman Dan Rather will leave CBS after 44 years as one of its most prominent journalists, the U.S. television network confirmed Tuesday.
Rather's final report for CBS News aired on Sunday, and Rather hasagreed to retire, the network said.
"There will always be a part of Dan Rather at CBS News,"said Sean McManus, president of the network's news division.
"He is truly a 'reporter's reporter,' and he has helped to train several generations of broadcast journalists. His legacy cannot be replicated."
A native of Texas, Ratherhas worked at CBS since 1962. He was the anchor of the CBS Evening News for 24 years, and also served as acorrespondentfor the network's flagshipcurrent affairs show 60 Minutes.
Rather, 74,had complained in recent weeks that he was being squeezed out of the network, with most of his proposals for assignments rejected. His contract does not expire until November.
On Tuesday, Ratherhad harsh words for CBS."After a protracted struggle ... they had not lived up to their obligation to allow me to do substantive work there," he said, according to Associated Press.
Last year, he stepped down asanchor of the network's evening newscast after controversy erupted over a 60 Minutes reportthat raised questions aboutPresident George W. Bush'smilitary service record.
After the report was broadcast, CBS acknowledged that it could not verify all of the information presented on the program.
Rather, who had presented the story on air, was allowed to remain with the network following an internal investigation, but four other CBS employees who worked on the show were fired.
Since then, Rather's on-air appearances have been infrequent. He contributed eight stories to 60 Minutes this season, about half his usual output, and said CBS was trying to offer him a contract with no affiliation to the show.
As part of the agreement with Rather, CBS plans a prime-time special on his career and will make a contribution to his alma mater, Sam Houston State University.
Rather has made it known thathe would havepreferred to remain withthe network. "If it had worked out for me to be an important contributor to CBS, I would have liked that," he said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times last week.
In a career spanning five decades, Rather covered news events ranging fromthe assassination of John F. Kennedy tothe Sept. 11attacks. He became anchor of the CBS Evening News in 1981 when his predecessor, Walter Cronkite, retired.
Ratheris considering an offer from HDNet, a high-definition cable TV station,which would have him produce and host a one-hour show.
Katie Couric takes over as anchor of CBS EveningNews in September.