In a commentary for CNN.com, former ABC World News Sunday anchor Carole Simpson — the first black woman to anchor a national news program, now a faculty member at Emerson College in Boston — shares her perspective on Diane Sawyer joining Katie Couric on the networks’ evening news scene:

“Since I have personally worked for 30 years for the advancement of women in broadcast journalism, I guess I am supposed to be delighted. Why am I not?

Because it took so darned long — and TV news is on life support.

No disrespect to Diane or Katie. I consider them friends and I take pride in their accomplishments. They have proven their talents and journalistic credentials. But, come on. We had to wait until 2009?…

So why are women getting these opportunities now? Well, I’m a cynic. The reason is that broadcast television news is dying…

With fewer resources and the death knell sounding, why not put women in charge of the network evening news programs? When things couldn’t be worse, it’s okay for women to be in charge. Sad to say, but I don’t believe the evening network newscasts, nor Katie and Diane as the anchors, will be around for very long.”