ABC News' Martin Bashir defects to rival MSNBC

Prominent ABC News "Nightline" co-anchor Martin Bashir is leaving the Walt Disney Co.-owned network to anchor an afternoon program on cable news channel MSNBC.  

The move represents a big loss for ABC News, which is struggling to compete in the 24-hour news cycle against entrenched rivals with greater resources. Earlier this year, ABC News dramatically pared its operation, eliminating 20% of its staff or more than 300 positions. Four months ago, another ABC standout, Kate Snow, bolted to NBC. Unlike NBC, which has cable channels MSNBC and CNBC, ABC journalists have fewer outlets to tell their stories: just a handful of programs on the broadcast network, including "Nightline," "Good Morning America" and "World News Tonight." 

Bashir is best known for in-depth reporting and documentaries, including the illuminating "Living With Michael Jackson" special in 2003, which prompted a police investigation into the late singer's relations with children; an interview with Princess Diana; and his investigation into the Bay Area BALCO steroids scandal, which ensnared Olympic athlete Marion Jones. Bashir will join NBC in September.

In addition to his MSNBC program, he will be a contributor to NBC's prime-time newsmagazine, "Dateline." 

ABC News' Bill Weir, currently an anchor of weekend "Good Morning America," will join Cynthia McFadden and Terry Moran on "Nightline."  The 31-year-old news program, "Nightline," has been gaining in the late-night ratings race against CBS' David Letterman and NBC's Jay Leno. It is one of the few bright spots for ABC News.

Weir, who was in contention for the "Good Morning America" anchor post that went to George Stephanopoulos, has been with ABC News since 2004. The shift means a complete makeover for weekend "Good Morning America," which began when Snow left for NBC. ABC News has not announced a replacement for Weir on "Good Morning America."

— Meg James

Photos of Martin Bashir, top left, and Bill Weir, bottom right courtesy of ABC.

Comments

[Grandpa]

ABC's biggest mistake was not giving the GMA opening to Weir. Stefanophilese is such a lightweight and out of his element in entertainment-style news.

Best move: Jeremy Hubbard should replace Weir on the Weekend GMA show.

[sc441]

No one watches MSNBC now, what makes them think people are going to tune in to watch Martin Bashir?

[turdy taboloids]

"Bashir is best known for in-depth reporting and documentaries"... Meg James you need to do a bit more work. Bashir's brand of 'news' is manipulation and sleaze. Your slant here is comical.

[Karen]

Martin Bashir should hang his head in shame and hang up journalism for good. He's got the ethics of a goat (actually I think the goat has more) and I wouldn't believe a word he says. He'll fit right in with the rest of the idiots at MSNBC!!!!!

[Michael]

so then MSNBC ratings will go down the drain then right?
whats the point ? The guy was chased out of Britan for questionable journalism

so he came to the states, the one place on earth where you get praised for slandering other people.

ABC should have fired him long time ago,
I dont trust him, I dont like his type of "journalism"

and I wont be watching him anywhere,

[Carolyn]

It's been painful to watch MSNBC programs in the last year with maybe one or two exceptions; now they're welcoming the most famous sleaze to be a part of their team. What's the point? Okay, if they insist I won't watch at all.

[thea]

Bashir is a poor excuse for a journalist. I will never watch him. He should be ashamed of himself for what he did to Michael Jackson. He is a sleaze after easy dirty money, and will sacrifice everything for it. The man has no morals or scruples.

[jodierae]

I will stop watching msnbc just like i stopped watching night line he is a poor excuse for a man slandering others for his gain, theres a place in hell for people just like him

[someone]

I know for a 100% fact Martin Bashir was fired. He didn't leave by his own choice.

[speechless]

MSNBC - are pleased to bring someone of his (Martin Bashir) calibre to the Network!!. (obviously not concerned about their ratings!!!). He is smart, original and thoughtful.

Martin Bashir: SMART- yes to feather his own nest with unethical reporting that todays media seems to relish for ratings. ORIGINAL - yes was the originator of a way of reporting that sucks the victim in then stabs them in the back with a twisted narrative. THOUGHTFUL- yes I imagine he spends hours thinking about how he can word a question that will leave the viewer NON-judgemental?

He was admonished in the UK for unethical practice (Lady Diana interview), his self opinionated narrative on the Michael Jackson interview was deceitful as evidenced by the video taken by Michael Jacksons own videographer. (This particular venture will not go away, in fact the injustice of this is gaining momentum as more and more people see the second video). His interview with Diddy recently was again self opinionated. No matter how many good investigations he has done or will do, the damage to his credibility and the credibility of anyone who hires him is already done. Did ABC see him as a liability, MSNBC I am sure it wont be long before they do.

!#29 - Wed Aug 18, 2010 5:35 PM EDT

[maria]

Martin Bashir is an interesting man, overly opportunistic, sleazy, immoral, underhanded, but interesting. I hope that his show is more honest than his famous interview with Micheal Jackson. The Jackson interview rocketed Bashir into journalism fame. Bahir's motto must certainly be ' Michael Jackson, the gift that keeps on giving'. One would pray that Martin Bashir, the man, will give back to at least on of the many charities that Michael Jackson supported. I'm sure the world would love to see that. But, based on the may negative posts on this page, few will be watching.

I wish Martin the best of luck with his show.

Cheers!