But youre my friend, and Im telling you not to go.. Licht, who made the comments during a Tuesday meeting with producers, warned that using the Big Lie is too close to the Democratic Partys branding, according to Mediaite. "[25], While Licht was executive producer of CBS This Morning, the series won a Peabody Award and three Emmy Awards (one Daytime Emmy Award and two News & Documentary Emmy Awards). Nearly 12 years ago, self-described "maniac producer" Chris Licht was lying in a hospital bed wondering if he was going to survive a brain aneurysm. [14][15][16] A month after he was named executive producer and showrunner of The Late Show, the show saw its largest weekly audience since February 19 of that year. Youve already seen far less of the Breaking News banner across our programming. 00:03. Lemon was trolled on Twitter, but won the praise of Fox Newss Sean Hannity. In a series of interviews with The Times, Mr. Licht visibly came to life talking about This Morning and its co-hosts. And in recent days, CNN's new leader has made moves that he says will return the cable channel closer to its news-driven roots. After watching CNN, Mr. Licht said he hoped people would take what theyve heard to the dinner table and have a discussion., Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Licht is 51 years old. Miller most recently served as the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence & Counterterrorism. Whats happening at CNN is not isolated. Mr. Licht and Mr. Zaslav not to mention Warners largest shareholder, the media mogul John Malone were philosophically aligned. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, driving an overhaul at the left-leaning network, New York Times, MSNBC, CNN slammed for claiming COVID lab leak theory was debunked, CNN on track for smallest audience of viewers age 25 to 54 since 2014: report, Chinese lab leak likely behind COVID outbreak, US finally admits in classified report, CNN boss says network on the right path as it invites more GOP guests. The next two years will be yet another test as to whether cable news has learned anything since 2016. Read More Maggie Vespa NBC News Salary, Age, Height, Husband, Net WorthContinue. But this hard? If youre essential then the revenue will follow., Maybe it wont work, Mr. Licht conceded. Trust me. [19][20][21], On his first day as chairman and CEO of CNN, Licht sent a memo to all employees saying, "Sadly too many people have lost trust in the news media. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker will be replaced with TV producer Chris Licht, Puck first reported Saturday. Licht, who took over as CNNs president earlier this year and is driving an overhaul at the left-leaning network, revealed his preference during a conference call with show executive producers and management on Tuesday, Mediaite reported. The apparent discord is the latest sign of brewing change at CNN since ex-president Jeff Zucker was ousted for failing to properly disclose his relationship with a subordinate. The former president has been politically weakened, with reports of former Trump allies looking to Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, and other Republican hopefuls to take the reins. FOLKENFLIK: Well, perhaps the most recent appointment has been of John Miller. If he wins reelection in November, Iowas longest-serving senator would be 95 years old by the end of another term. In that capacity, he gave advice on various types of material for several network departments. One source called the idea of Jeff Zucker making a bid for the network "beyond fantasy.". Chris Licht, who took over leadership of CNN Worldwide last month, wants to rein in the use of the " breaking news " banner. As a reporter and producer, he covered a mass shooting in San Bernardino, the plane crash that killed John F. Kennedy Jr., two presidential campaigns and three Olympics. There are other things that are important, Licht told Kara Swisher, on her new podcast, On with Kara Swisher, in one of the most expansive interviews he's done since taking the top job. We have to call lies, lies, whether theyre small lies or big lies. ), One-hundred percent. I think the frontrunner always merits the most amount of attention. Licht, the executive producer of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" and . Licht graduated with a bachelors degree in broadcast journalism and political science from Syracuse Universitys S.I. The article has been corrected. Prior to Morning Joe, Licht worked as an executive producer and senior producer for Joe Scarboroughs MSNBC show Scarborough Country.. Thats why I took this job. FOLKENFLIK: Sure. Is Mass Immigration Killing Two-Party Democracy in the U.S.? She has covered the Mexican presidential elections in 2006 from Mexico City and reported live, Read More Anita Vogel (Fox News) Bio, Net Worth, Husband, Age, Height and SalaryContinue. I love the collaboration. Christopher Andrew Licht (born October 22, 1971)[2] is an American television newsman and producer. (You can unsubscribe anytime). First and foremost, we should, and we will be advocates for truth. And over time, that's going to improve ratings, too. But that's not what we're talking about. Among the reforms, Licht directed network anchors and producers to stop using the phrase "The Big Lie" to describe attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 election - in part because it's a. Wallace, whose show will also be moved to HBO Max, is also helping cover some of the January 6 hearings. Hey, David. When it comes to creating and producing content for networks, cable, and streaming services, Licht has experience in news, scripted, non-scripted, talk shows, and live programming. Licht, Pope says, is trying to thread two opposing camps as many US newsroom are trying to do. Mr. Zaslav had stressed that he didnt care at least not much about CNNs current ratings, revenue or profitability. In September 2015when CNNs Republican presidential debate shattered its ratings recordhe suggested CNNs focus on the then-GOP frontrunner was warranted because he was the story of the past three months. Licht has an estimated net worth of $15 million. Veteran CBS executive Chris Licht is expected to be named as CNN's next president, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. Among the casualties were familiar commentators like Chris Cillizza, key behind-the-scenes producers with decades of experience, and the entirety of HLN, CNNs sister network, and its popular morning host, Robin Meade. Newhouse School of Public Communications alumni, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 17:30. Trumps Relationship With Jared and Ivanka. A month before the election, he acknowledged that airing so many Trump rallies in full was a mistake, but continued to defend the cable networks coverage in the following months after Trump had won. Newhouse School of Public Communication. Required fields are marked *. Its important for a functioning society.. While in charge of CBS This Morning, he was credited with making the show unexpectedly successful, giving CBS its most competitive place in the morning show race in almost 30 years. He most recently worked at CBS, where he was Executive Vice President of Special Programming since May 2016. And he had also been at CBS News, and before that, MSNBC. Chris Licht, the producer who created "Morning Joe," revamped "CBS This Morning" and revitalized "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," has been selected to run CNN once Discovery merges with . Rupert Murdoch Colluded With Jared Kushner to Try to Throw the 2020 Election to Trump Because Of Course He Did, Trump Claims Ron DeSantis Gets Off on Killing Old People in Wheelchairs, Donald Trump, Who Was Impeached Twice, Is Running for President Again. Thats why Im here. (Zucker abruptly resigned as network president earlier this year due to his failure to disclose a romantic relationship with a colleague. Licht says he's not going to pull any punches, doesn't mean that they're going to stop reporting. Some of his changes have sparked concerns inside and outside the network. NN has long claimed to be the most trusted name in news but its recent history has seen the rolling US cable news channel court controversy with a shift to the left as the rise of Donald Trump roiled American politics. Joe Biden, the vice president at the time and a fellow aneurysm survivor, cold-called a highly regarded neurosurgeon to take care of him. Cable news depends heavily on cable providers; as much as 60% of CNNs $1.8bn in revenue last year came from the carriers. Many more millions would be needed. All rights reserved. He has been working as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CNN Worldwide since May 2022. AILSA CHANG, HOST: This week brought news of. Mr. Licht told the New York Times that he was surprised by the "uninformed vitriol" from fellow liberals on his recent changes. Truth Social has been a complete disaster and the ex-president seems to know it. We have to call lies, lies, whether theyre small lies or big lies. Beforerelocating to Los Angeles, sheworked as theentertainment reporter for Fox News Channel, where she contributed to a variety of shows for FoxNews.com. Licht is married to Jenny Blanco. Read More Courtney Friel KTLA, Bio, Age, Salary, Ex Husband, Wedding, Kids, Net worthContinue. Her most recent job was at KGW-TV where she worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor for 7 years. Anyone can read what you share. After college at Syracuse University, Mr. Licht landed jobs at NBC affiliates in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Its not clear anyone could surmount those challenges, let alone someone whod just spent nearly six years at a late-night entertainment show and had never managed a complex, globe-spanning organization with thousands of employees. I think you should do it.. Discovery Upfront 2022 show at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on May 18, 2022 in New York City. CHANG: Well, amidst all these changes you're describing, I saw that CNN's White House correspondent John Harwood announced that he's leaving. Licht was born to Susan Mary (Kneeland) and Dr. Peter David Licht of Newtown, Connecticut. It's not clear any outlet has perfected the formula to cover a twice-impeached, insurrection-inciting, 2020 election-denying, subject of several state and federal investigations running for a second term in the White House. In the years since, they have had breakfast once a quarter. But CNN CEO Chris Licht says he does know what not to do: repeat CNN's coverage circa 2016. Kristina Partsinevelos is well-known as the Nasdaq correspondent based at the CNBC Global Headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. He lifted ratings at the perennial also-ran CBS This Morning on the strength of the programs three hosts, Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Norah ODonnell, and an emphasis on news and in-depth interviews, rather than the lighter fare format of its competitors Today and Good Morning America.. Licht oversees all operations at the global network. In 2005, Mr. Licht moved to NBCs sibling network, MSNBC, soon becoming an executive producer for Morning Joe, which he helped develop into an improbable success in its hotly competitive morning time slot. Former GOP House SpeakerRead More, In a column for The American Spectator last week, MaryRead More, Until a couple of decades ago, voting in the UnitedRead More, Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from The American Spectator | USA News and Politics. CreditVincent Tullo for The New York Times. He is best known as the showrunner and executive producer of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, as well as CBS 's executive vice president of special programming. Its worrisome that were being told how to talk about one of the worst things that ever happened to American democracy, one source told Mediaite. (They later married. Licht, whose appointment may be announced by Discovery Inc . Is Chris Licht, CNNs President, Really Reaching Out to the GOP? But what does that do to the brand if you want to be the most trusted name in news? he said. He was selected to take over this role after the former president of CNN, Jeff Zucker resigned abruptly. If so, it would appear that he is the wrong. Reliably lousy: Brian Stelter's CNN show draws lowest rati Jay Leno reveals his unbelievable new face three months after car fire, Sunny Hostin Points Finger at China for COVID Crisis: Did Not Cooperate With the International Community, Good luck 'worming' your way out of this one, Kanye West and 'wife' Bianca Censori look surprisingly happy on dinner date, Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave. Featuring hosts and guests with opposing points of view and playing up controversy has paid ratings dividends on cable in the past, notably on CNNs own Crossfire, which came under criticism for evolving into a verbal food fight criticized by the comedian Jon Stewart as hurting America., But Mr. Licht said he wasnt interested in controversy for its own sake, but to offer a rational conversation about polarizing issues. After watching CNN, he hopes people will take what theyve heard to the dinner table and have a discussion, he said. He declined to be more specific but promised surprises. Hes a fighter, and he likes to win, Mr. Zaslav said. Wallace said the committee had put itself in danger of too much hype about its findings. On Oct. 13, Mr. Licht made his debut in front of Warner Brothers Discoverys board at a hotel in Los Angeles, where he outlined both his growth and content strategy. Mr. Licht has barely begun to put his stamp on the networks programming, but its already evident in the new morning show, CNN This Morning. Mr. Licht picked the hosts, persuading the left-leaning Don Lemon to trade his prime-time slot for early morning, and pairing him with the former Daily Caller reporter and CNN White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow, a former host of CNN Newsroom. The show takes a somewhat similar approach to the one he used at CBS This Morning (which also shares a near-identical name). Read More Rick Karle WVTM 13 Bio, Age, Height, Net Worth, Family, Wife, WBRC, Anchor, SalaryContinue, Who is Anita Vogel? So perhaps focusing in on longer pieces, explainers, and not breaking news, the adrenaline center of the news business. He was named to the post in April 2022. CNN via YouTube. Not So Much. So tell us, who is CNN's new CEO and chairman Chris Licht, and how does he want to reshape CNN exactly? You are part of something bigger, of something with tremendous meaning. Who is Rick Karle? Even if he raises ratings? asked Swisher. Fox and MSNBC were advocacy networks, as Mr. Zaslav put it, a proven business model appealing to like-minded viewers but of scant, if any, value as a public service. CNN's new CEO Chris Licht is looking for a slam dunk and he hopes . Licht co-created Morning Joe on MSNBC and served as its first executive producer before joining CBS. According to a swath of US media reports, CNN has entered high gear in a reformist effort to phase out overt political partisanship, reduce the frequency of breaking news alerts, dissuade non-primetime anchors from airing their views, and broadly to avoid presenting the extremes of political thought of either side, left or right. [9][10], In 2005, he joined MSNBC as the executive producer for Scarborough Country and later was the founding executive producer of Morning Joe, which he and host Joe Scarborough helped create prior to its launch in 2007. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Discovery didnt anticipate further job cuts at CNN because there was no overlap between the news network and Discoverys cable channels, and thus there wasnt anyone else doing the same jobs that would need to be cut. [28], On April 28, 2010, Licht suffered a near-fatal cerebral hemorrhage while driving in Washington, D.C. The news network has been focused on purging itself of the reputation of being a woke media source since Chris Licht, the new CEO, has pledged to make CNN reliable to the public again by. He wants to reshape the team that's covering the White House, to focus more on reporting and less on analysis. Benjamin Mullin and Michael M. Grynbaum contributed reporting. He has acknowledged the desire to change Republicans' unfavorable opinions of CNN. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who's taking over CNN. Discovery Inc. has tapped producer Chris Licht to lead CNN after it takes over the cable-news channel, according to people familiar with the matter, turning to a veteran news and late-night TV . He will report to David Zaslav, who will lead the merged Warner Bros.-Discovery, with a deal expected to close by early in the spring . The CNN president suggested that shows should instead refer to Trumps disproven claims as Trump election lie or election lies. Licht asserted that using the phrase the big lie essentially parroted the Democratic Partys branding and hurt CNNs objectivity when covering the topic. Ad Choices. I'm curious, does Harwood's departure fit into this bigger story? In July, Mr. Licht made a highly symbolic pilgrimage to Capitol Hill noteworthy for its inclusion of Republicans like the House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, and Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas. A chorus of media pundits has pounced on every tidbit of bad news. In his most substantial interview since taking over CNN, the CEO talked about mistakes in Trump coverageincluding those made by his predecessor Jeff Zuckerand how he plans to avoid making the same ones. She reports on the Nasdaq, semiconductors, ESG, and precious metals, and her work can be found on CNBCs digital platforms and on television. In addition, Licht has directed CNN producers to dial down the networks use of networks use of breaking news bannersduring live coverage a tactic that was embraced under Zuckers watch. Before joining the Fox News Channel, Vogel worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor for KCRA-TV (NCB 3) in Sacramento. FOLKENFLIK: Harwood knew at the time he was saying that on the air that he was going to be leaving the network. After long absences, several Republicans have since appeared on CNN, including Mr. McCarthy and Senator Rick Scott of Florida. JOHN HARWOOD: Now, that's something that's not easy for us as journalists to say. CNN CEO Chris Licht said the "vitriol" aimed at him over changes at the network has been "stunning." In an interview with The NYT, Licht said he wanted CNN journalists to be seen as "truth tellers . I got out of news, and Im not going back, Mr. Licht had insisted. Licht began his news career in 1995 at KNBC in Los Angeles. Discovery, professional auto racing, tennis and now golf, Now, they arent just surviving, they are thriving. CNN was plenty biased back then, but at least hosts like Bernard Shaw made some effort to feign neutrality. "The uninformed vitriol . [25] The Washington Post described the moves "as the latest evidence of a shift to a less politically charged tone under new leader Chris Licht. (CNN prevailed in the coveted 25-to-54 age group.). And nothing about that has changed. Almost immediately, their shared vision of saving democracy ran into the harsh reality of cable news economics. He comes not from the ranks of objective news but from the conservative-bashing world of liberal infotainment. For whatever reason, the rank and file at CNN appreciate Jeff Zucker's approach to leadership." CNN PLAGUED WITH LAYOFFS, INFIGHTING, RATINGS WOES ONE YEAR . The effort to turn CNN away from being the story (Donald Trump memorably christened it Fake News Network; Anderson Cooper called him an obese turtle on his back flailing in the hot sun) to reporting it, comes amid pressure from cable-TV distributors to drop politically contentious cable channels. In February, CNN's average total day . Maybe its not about partisanship, but theyre just not responding to a crisis every day. Thats a little bit like asking why The New York Times has had more stories about Hillary than anyone else." But we have to understand the culture of people who like guns, he said. By Dimitrios Kambouris/Warner Bros. Discovery/Getty Images. One such strategy requires CNN only refer to news as "breaking news" when they are really important. Chris Licht became CNN's chairman and CEO in May. Accuracy and availability may vary. Were not friends any more. Is Secession the Answer to American Disunity? By all accounts, Mr. Lichts presentation was warmly received by directors, including Mr. Malone. Chris Lichts reported guidance to staff comes amid broader efforts to move beyond the Jeff Zucker era. Simpson trial. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. But for Mr. Licht, nothing less than democracy itself was at stake. More significantly, Mr. Licht noted, This Morning has broken news, including the chief Washington correspondent Jake Tappers scoop that Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona was leaving the Democratic Party to become an Independent. Some at CNN felt Mr. Zucker had been unfairly sacrificed and remained staunchly loyal to their former boss. Anita Vogel is an American journalist working as a news reporter for the Fox News Channel. Rumors have been circulating this week that more outspoken left-leaning anchors and contributors at CNN could soon be dropped. CNNs revenue and profits have plunged to a projected $750 million this year, down from $1.25 billion last year, partly from the costs associated with CNN+, the network acknowledged. I have to win that credibility back, he acknowledged. Rupert Murdoch Colluded With Jared Kushner to Try to Throw the 2020 Election to Trump Because Of Course He Did, Trump Claims Ron DeSantis Gets Off on Killing Old People in Wheelchairs. He is also known for having launched Morning Joe on MSNBC, and the reboot of CBS This Morning. Daily updates from Washington, Wall Street, and Silicon Valley. At another all-staff meeting this month, aimed at restoring morale, Mr. Licht took questions and then ended with a passage he wrote himself: In terms of morale, let me just say, you work at a world-renowned news organization alongside the best journalists on the globe. But rather than stand by Stelter and his work shining a spotlight on the dangerous propaganda being pushed by Republican politicians and conservative media, Licht reportedly wants the network to. But Id rather try to win this way.. New revelations about how one Trump staffer helped preserve the transfer of powerfrom the forthcoming book on the Biden White House. Who is Maggie Vespa? He also suggested that CNNs producers refer to Trumps debunked voter fraud claims as the Trump election lie or election lies in banners and graphics. Beginning in the fall, the network on Sunday evenings will air the show from former Fox News anchor Chris Wallace that was on the ill-fated CNN+. When Mr. Licht told his boss, Stephen Colbert, the host of the CBS program Late Show With Stephen Colbert, in February that he had been offered the chief executive job at CNN, Mr. Colbert was blunt: Definitely dont go do that.. The couple married in 2006 and they have been together ever since. On a subsequent phone call, Mr. Zaslav urged Mr. Licht to think about CNN and whether hed be interested in the top job. I am especially proud to join CNN at a time when covering the news, getting it right and delivering it in a straightforward way has never been more vital to the American public.. By announcing the need for more layoffs on Oct. 26, he said he hoped to engage in a transparent process that would leave everyone feeling theyd been heard. Set against a post-Trump identity crisis and a slump in viewers CNN averages 178,000 viewers in the key 25-to-54 demographic, down 63% from a year ago the reformist spirit comes as the networks net advertising revenue fell 2% last year due to lower ratings, according to S&P Global Market Intelligences Kagan. We've received your submission. A few months later, high-profile departures and arrivals may signal how he will lead the network. Because it will be brutal, Mr. Zaslav said. To the extent that Republicans appear on CNN, they do so as stooges who are expected to second CNNs liberal narrative. Mr. Licht told him he had no interest in running it. The fact is that the wall between objective news and liberal opinion has completely collapsed at CNN and cant be rebuilt unless Licht fires Don Lemon and company, which, up to this point, Licht has shown no willingness to do. Chris Licht, Chairman and CEO, CNN Worldwide speaks onstage during the Warner Bros. If anything, he wants to really focus more on news than opinion. Every day, it evolves. On Feb. 28, Mr. Licht was named CNN's new chief executive. The networks chief executive knew the job would not be easy. The Base? Watch and see. Menu. He later wrote a book about the resulting experience, What I Learned When I Almost Died: How a Maniac TV Producer Put Down His BlackBerry and Started to Live His Life, which was published in 2011. This was not, he stressed repeatedly, a move to the center, a boring, political neutral zone that Mr. Licht wasnt even sure existed. Known for . Hunter Biden Cashed In to Fuel His Drug and Sex Habits, Targeting People With Mental Illness and Dementia for Euthanasia. Mr. Licht said the firings were the low point of his tenure so far. But the larger point may be that audiences are no longer as engaged by US domestic politics as they were during the Trump administration when most news organizations grew their audiences significantly. A contract ensued. On Feb. 28, Chris Licht was named CNNs new chief executive. Chris Licht, the new president of CNN, is settling into one of the most challenging jobs in news, and questions abound regarding how he will guide the network out of the extreme turmoil it has. But still, a new poll suggests Republican voters are mostly in favor of Trump. As part of this effort, he has advised against overusing Breaking News banners in CNNs live coverage and spurned the networks infamous partisan debate panels. Mr. Licht said he doesnt recall Mr. Zaslav ever offering him the job, or his accepting it. February 22, 2023 | 7:11pm. During a call with staff Tuesday morning, CEO Chris Licht announced that John Miller would be joining CNN as the network's Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst. The experience inspired him to write a book titled, What I Learned When I Almost Died.. The hires come as Licht has begun to assert his vision for the network that moves it away from its editorial posture of the last few years. Producer: CBS This Morning. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. In a memorably raucous December 2016 panel at Harvard, Zucker even argued that other Republican candidates failed to seek the same media attention that Trump did, to which rival GOP campaign strategists cried bullshit.. It sounds implausible given his liberal background. Mr. Licht said he used the analogy to make clear that a less-partisan CNN did not mean it was any less committed to truth. [CDATA[*/Insticator.ad.loadAd("div-insticator-ad-1");Insticator.ad.loadAd("div-insticator-ad-2");Insticator.load("em",{id : "6cf39429-6912-4a91-b1e2-3e9365a5e9c6"});/*]]>*/. Since then, he and Mr. Colbert have spoken nearly every Friday. Among the reforms, Licht directed network anchors and producers to stop using the phrase The Big Lie to describe attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 election in part because its a Democratic party catchphrase. At a time where extremes are dominating cable news, we will seek to go a different way, reflecting the real lives of our viewers and elevating the way America and the world views this medium, Licht told advertisers last month. He also worked with local NBC affiliates in LA and San Francisco markets. [29][30] Joe Biden, the then vice-president and a survivor of an aneurysm himself, cold-called Dr. Vivek Deshmukh, a highly recommended neurosurgeon, to care for Licht. We will not let everything [Trump] does consume the news cycle, right? Restless after six years at This Morning, in 2016 he joined the then-faltering CBS program Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Within a year, Mr. Colbert had seized the late-night ratings crown from Jimmy Fallon of NBCs Tonight Show.. Mr. Licht seemed to have TV news in his DNA. He oversaw the program as it won praise from critics for its discussions with prominent figures in the news and analysis of major news events. Can the Republican hold on to the political movement he helped build? This is a calling, Mr. Licht countered. All rights reserved. CNN staffers are upset over buzz that Chris Licht plans to hire Charles Barkley. I was obsessed, Mr. Licht said. On Feb. 28, Mr. Licht was named CNNs new chief executive. He is best known as the showrunner and executive producer of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, as well as CBS's executive vice president of special programming. No one wants a school shooting, said Mr. Licht, whose hometown, Newtown, was the site of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning.