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The Drudge Report claims that CBS News is going to invoke deep cuts on its news division….including cutting the salary of star Katie Couric.  Couric is the

Lonely But Wealthy At The Top

highest paid anchor in news history, at a reported $14 million a year.  That’s $300,000 a week.  Drudge reports that CBS news staffers have been grumbling over layoffs when Katie’s salary could easily keep many $75,000 reporters employed.   It is interesting to note that Anchormen in even smaller news markets, top 50 cities in the country, 30 years ago, were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars a piece.  Today, there isn’t an on-air talent in the country who feels secure day-to-day on-air.  Everyone is vulnerable.  Drudge just makes it public.

As Jay Leno put it, “You either get the ratings, or you don’t.”   Right now no one in television is pulling in the five, ten, fifteen or twenty million viewers a night that network news anchors and managing editors used to draw.  CNN’s Anderson Cooper is fortunate if one million people are watching him.  This is true about all the networks, except FOX News which draws more like 3-6 million.

drudgereport.com/flashkcc.htm

"CBSNEWS anchorwoman and 60 MINUTES contributor Katie Couric faces a dramatic pay cut at the network, insiders tell the DRUDGE REPORT.

CBS boss Les Moonves is determined to save money and trim expenses -- from top to bottom -- at the former crown jewel of broadcasting.

Couric, the highest paid TV news personality in history, commands over $14 million a year, plus bumps for non-EVENING NEWS appearances.

But her salary is now in the direct line of fire, network insiders explain, and a populist backlash against Couric's cash is said to be forming inside the newsroom.

"She makes enough to pay 200 news reporters $75,000 a year!" demands a veteran producer. "It's complete insanity."

The angry source continues: "We report with great enthusiasm how much bankers are making, how it is out of step with reality during a recession. Well, look at Katie!"

Couric's current CBS contract expires next year.

Developing...

EDITOR'S NOTE: Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather called on President Barack Obama to form a White House commission to help save the press. Tears welled in the lifelong reporter�s eyes as he discussed the dwindling number of war correspondents.