21 May 2021: "CNN's Messy Situation" With Cuomo

Chris Cuomo’s advice to Gov. Andrew Cuomo crosses a journalistic line

This report, from the Poynter Institute, makes it clear both Chris Cuomo and CNN are involved in a major breach of journalism ethics:

CNN’s messy situation just got a whole lot messier. And now one of CNN’s biggest stars is deservedly under scrutiny for crossing a journalistic line.

It’s a conflict of interest that has been more than a year in the making. It finally blew up in CNN’s face Thursday after revelations in a big scoop by The Washington Post’s Josh Dawsey and Sarah Ellison: CNN primetime host Chris Cuomo advised his brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and the governor’s staff on how to respond to sexual harassment allegations made against the governor by several women.

The article briefly recaps the lead article in this timeline entry, before getting to the ethical violations:

Stop and think about what happened here.

The host of a primetime show on one of the country’s biggest and most influential cable news networks is advising one of the most powerful and influential politicians in this country on how to handle serious sexual misconduct allegations.

This is highly inappropriate for a journalist.

That's putting it mildly. But wait, it gets worse.

CNN isn’t denying any of it. In a statement, CNN said, “Chris has not been involved in CNN’s extensive coverage of the allegations against Governor Cuomo — on air or behind the scenes. In part because, as he has said on his show, he could never be objective. But also because he often serves as a sounding board for his brother. However, it was inappropriate to engage in conversations that included members of the Governor’s staff, which Chris acknowledges. He will not participate in such conversations going forward.”

CNN added Cuomo will not be disciplined.

The short translation of CNN's response is that the broadcast news outlet's managers and editors recognize Chris Cuomo's conduct is "inappropriate", but seem to be okay with it provided he doesn't keep doing it.

How would they know? What steps will they take, if any, to ensure that inappropriate conduct does not continue?

It’s one thing to recuse yourself from coverage. It’s another to try to go behind the scenes and try to help shape what happens. Chris Cuomo is advising Gov. Cuomo on strategy, which you would assume includes how to deal with the media and change the media narrative. In other words, while Chris Cuomo’s colleagues and other media outlets are doggedly working on this story, Chris is advising his brother and his brother’s staff on how to deal with the media and their reporting.

And, at the heart of all this, a journalist is helping a politician.

Sounds pretty unethical doesn't it? What exactly does CNN gain by allowing this misconduct to continue with the tacit approval of its management and editors? And what does the answer to that question say about them and their own credibilty?