C-SPAN Launches CeaseFire Series With Dasha Burns

C-SPAN is launching a new weekly show called CeaseFire this fall, aimed at fostering honest and civil political discussions by pairing leaders and lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle to find common ground. The show, hosted by Politico White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns, represents a shift from the confrontational style of programs like CNN's Crossfire, which was known for heated debates and was canceled after criticism from comedian Jon Stewart. Sam Feist, C-SPAN's CEO and former Crossfire producer, emphasized that Americans and members of Congress agree more than they disagree, but this unity is rarely shown on television or in Congress. Burns noted that while conflict-driven shows attract viewers, there is a significant part of the country tired of such divisiveness and yearning for constructive dialogue. CeaseFire aims to address this disconnect by promoting bipartisan cooperation and moving beyond partisan acrimony. The initiative reflects a broader effort to restore civil political discourse in a polarized media environment.