Woodruff leaves PBS for CNN slot
She also will play a key role in special coverage of political conventions and summits.
"I'm thrilled about joining a news organization that sets the agenda for news coverage in the United States and the world," Woodruff said. "I hope I can bring to CNN the sense of journalistic excellence that is pervasive at 'MacNeil/Lehrer.' "
CNN prez Tom Johnson courted Woodruff since December. She left NBC News, where she covered the White House, for the public TV newscast more than a decade ago, reportedly taking a pay cut to do so. From 1984 to 1990, she anchored the awarding-winning documentary series "Frontline."
"This was an agonizing decision for her," Shaw said. "I talked with her for a couple of hours last Friday, and she still hadn't made up her mind. But I'm glad she's made the right decision."
Woodruff will start work at CNN this spring.
