John Yang was appointed anchor of PBS News Weekend.
Yang’s first day in the anchor chair is Dec. 31. He succeeds Geoff Bennett, who was recently appointed co-anchor of PBS NewsHour.
“With his distinguished background in journalism and his dedication to high standards of the NewsHour, John is the ideal anchor for this important program,” said Sharon Rockefeller, CEO for WETA in Washington, D.C., and president of NewsHour Productions, in a news release. “We are committed to providing thoughtful coverage and analysis 365 days of the year; and with John at the helm of our PBS News Weekend, our audiences will continue to be well-served.”
Yang joined PBS NewsHour in 2016 as a national correspondent covering the presidential campaign and the first year of the Trump administration. He has since focused on Supreme Court coverage and will continue to cover that topic and other national issues for daily broadcasts of NewsHour.
Before joining NewsHour, Yang was a Chicago-based correspondent for NBC News, a correspondent for ABC News and a reporter and editor for the Washington Post. He’s also reported for the Wall Street Journal, Time and the Boston Globe.
In the release, NewsHour Senior EP Sara Just said Yang’s “insight and experience, coupled with his curiosity and compassion are exactly what we need to lead” the weekend program, which is executive produced by Rachel Wellford.
Yang added, “Now more than ever, in-depth, independent reporting is critical to a healthy, vibrant democracy. It’s an honor to take on this role and continue working with the NewsHour’s team of incredibly talented, committed journalists. I’m grateful and humbled to be entrusted with this responsibility.”
In an interview with Variety, Yang and Wellford said the weekend broadcasts will continue to cover hard news about climate change and foreign affairs but will balance that with increased coverage of the arts, sports and other topics.
PBS News Weekend, formerly PBS NewsHour Weekend, moved under the purview of WETA last year. The name change reflects that the program is a half-hour, as opposed to the 60-minute weekday NewsHour program.
John,
Congratulations on the elevation to weekend anchor. Can’t think of anyone more qualified, more deserving and more likely to uphold the traditional standards of the profession. It is great to see highly professional journalists in senior positions. You probably don’t recall, but we got to know each other on the Hill when you worked with Charlie and I was Bob Michel’s ‘press guy’. Great days. I believe you do know my wife Thalia Assuras, who anchored at CBS and did the overnight and early morning at ABC.
We both wish you well in the new assignment. Congratulations.
Mike Johnson