Tony Dokoupil: Let's Build Trust Through Experience

As the new anchor of the Evening News, I want to emphasize a fundamental shift. Trust isn't automatically granted; it must be continuously earned.

The media's landscape has drastically transformed over the years. There’s a widening trust gap between the public and traditional news outlets.

I've heard this sentiment echoed everywhere I go. For over two decades, I've listened to concerns from diverse communities—from West Virginia to New York City.

The topics of conversation are varied. They range from our handling of major global agreements like NAFTA to domestic issues like Hillary Clinton's emails or the ongoing scrutiny of presidential fitness.

The truth is, the media has sometimes failed its duty by focusing on the voices of specialists and not giving enough weight to the insights of everyday people.

From personal experience, I understand how it feels when news stories seem misaligned with reality and fail to address pressing concerns.

As long as I hold this position, my commitment is to prioritize you, the viewer, above all else. This excludes big advertisers, political influences, and even CBS's own corporate interests.

My goal is to deliver information clearly, sharing what I discover, when I uncover it, and maintaining transparency about any mistakes.

This role allows me to engage with a wide array of individuals, scrutinizing all public figures fairly and discussing what works or fails in society.

A commitment to honesty is paramount, and that promise stands firm.

I invite you to keep me accountable.