CNN’s Barbara Starr leaving network amid mass layoffs

Starr's decision to depart comes just days after the cable news giant's latest round of mass layoffs.

According to The Hill, Starr told colleagues that her contract was due to expire in the following days, and that instead of seeking to renew it, she felt it was time to "move on."

The veteran reporter served as CNN's Pentagon correspondent, covering military and defense news both in Washington and around the world. On numerous occasions, she joined US troops in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel.

Starr is only the latest on the list of big names that have stepped down or been forced out of their positions at CNN.

During the latest round of layoffs, hundreds of employees' contracts were terminated, and while most were members of the production staff and other behind-the-scenes workers, political reporter and editor-at-large Chris Cillizza, whose comments often garnered reactions from across the political spectrum, was also shown the door.

In recent years, CNN has struggled to get out of its ratings slump, leading to calls for mass restructuring of the company and changes to its broadcast style.

CEO Christ Licht promised to prune partisan personalities and programming, and since taking over for his predecessor, Jeff Zucker, he has overseen a number of drastic changes, including the firing of Brian Stelter and the demotion of Don Lemon.

He explained that the changes were "necessary," and would make CNN "stronger and better positioned to place big bets going forward without fear of failure. He maintained that CNN was "the world's most vital source of news and information."