CNN's Shaw Discusses Departure

Monday, November 27th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) â€” CNN anchor Bernard Shaw said he's given a lot of thought to how his departure from the network early next year will affect the racial composition of his profession.

``But I do not live to work, I work to live. That's why I'm leaving,'' he told the New York Times Magazine. ``And if my departure creates a color void in network news anchordom, so be it.''

Shaw, 60, who has been with CNN since it began in 1980, said he's always wanted more company from people of color, but thinks women may have an even harder time in the business.

``The distraction of a woman journalist having to worry about her hair, her weight, her clothes â€” as a male, I never have to be concerned about that, about the salt and pepper in my hair,'' he said. ``How many gray-haired newswomen do you see on television? The double standard in this business is disgusting.''