CBS Demotes Hard News Executive

CBS News, which came under fire from network affiliates for its slow response to the news of Princess Diana’s car crash Aug. 31, on Tuesday demoted the executive who had been in charge of covering breaking news. Lane Venardos, a 25-year CBS News veteran who had been vice president of hard news and special events for the last five years, was made executive producer and director of special events for the news division. Replacing him as vice president for news coverage is Marcy McGinnis, who previously oversaw news gathering in Europe, Africa and the Middle East from CBS’ London bureau. Venardos will report to McGinnis.