At the end of the hourlong episode largely focused on examining how media itself is transforming, Stelter highlighted the importance of providing room for dialogue and the "full spectrum of debate." He also called on viewers to hold CNN and other networks accountable for their coverage.
"This small but mighty show punched above its weight for so many years," Stelter said. "Even a former president commented on the cancellation."
Former President Donald Trump taunted Stelter on social media after news broke that the show was dropped.
IS MCDONALD'S BECOMING THE NEW CHAMPION OF AFFORDABILITY?
"Brian Stelter of Fake News CNN got fired because he lied, and lied, and lied — ABOUT ME," Trump wrote on Truth Social amid news of Stelter's departure. "May he REST IN PEACE!"
Stelter's final monologue addressed the need for media criticism. "This show's going away, but there's going to be so many more. We need to have room for media criticism and debate and discussion, and we will. So much of the media ecosystem in 2022 is garbage, but so much of it is spectacular. The hard part's sorting out the treasure from the trash," Stelter said. "It's on all of us. We are all members of the media, all helping to make it better."
MEET VICTORIA SHI: THE AI-BOT SPOKESWOMAN TAKING UKRAINE'S FOREIGN MINISTRY BY STORM
The show's send-off featured appearances from members of the media, including investigative journalist Carl Bernstein of Watergate fame. In a segment focused on media coverage, Bernstein spoke critically of cable news providing former Trump what he said was "unprecedented free airtime" during the 2016 Republican primary. "I think it was a kind of irresponsible coverage that we did, all the all the cable news networks did it," Bernstein said. "It gave him free ammunition to spread lies to essentially give campaign speeches with us not making a decision about what is news."
MOUNTING PRESSURE: OVER 300 ANTI-ISRAEL ACTIVISTS DEMAND REGULATIONS FOR ISRAEL IN UPCOMING OLYMPICS
Claire Atkinson, the chief media correspondent for Insider, addressed the elephant in the room during the segment, mentioning how Warner Bros. Discovery shareholder John Malone may have been behind the show's revocation. According to the New York Times, Malone has denied involvement but said that he wants the network's programming to have more straight news reporting.
SPOILER ALERT: MSNBC HOSTS WARN THAT CAMPUS PROTESTS MIGHT PAVE THE WAY FOR TRUMP'S COMEBACK
The show's final guest, journalist Brian Karem, was a familiar face and the first ever guest to arrive at Reliable Sources when it premiered.
Reliable Sources has been a hallmark of CNN's Sunday schedule since 1993 and has had multiple hosts over the years, including Bernard Kalb and Howard Kurtz. Stelter, who joined the show in 2013, called the job a "gift of a lifetime."
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
