We're covering two reports in this timeline entry. If both reports are any indication, CNN insiders are not happy. If they were, they wouldn't be leaking like a sieve and the comments made at the internal meeting being reported upon would not be showing up at outside publications within a matter of hours.
- Chris Cuomo Made a ‘Mistake,’ CNN Boss Jeff Zucker Tells Concerned Staffers
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This report focuses specifically on CNN's chief producer's statements at a townhall meeting regarding Chris Cuomo's latest journalism conflict-of-interest scandal:
During a Tuesday afternoon town-hall meeting with staff, Zucker claimed he understood the “unease” over Cuomo’s conduct, saying “in no uncertain terms” that it was a “mistake” for the primetime star to participate in strategy calls advising his politically powerful brother.
“He did cross a line,” Zucker said.
But you wouldn't think it was very serious from Zucker's managerial response, which is the subject of the next article we're covering in this entry....
- CNN Chief Jeff Zucker Says Chris Cuomo ‘Made a Mistake’ and Defends Treatment of Controversy
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This report covers CNN's management decision to not discipline Chris Cuomo.
Jeff Zucker, chairman of news and sports at WarnerMedia, held a company town hall on Tuesday in which he addressed the recent Chris Cuomo-CNN controversy and answered questions regarding return-to-office plans....
He told employees that primetime anchor Chris Cuomo “made a mistake” by taking part in sessions with his brother, Governor Andrew Cuomo, and his advisers while the New York State leader was under scrutiny due to claims about sexual harassment as well as handling data about the pandemic’s effects on nursing homes. Zucker said he felt a disciplinary action was less effective than having the anchor address the situation on camera, in front of audiences. He reiterated that Cuomo has been separated from coverage of his sibling and will not be able to interview or report on the governor at any point in the future.
A more effective action would have involved having the anchor address the situation on camera, followed by their immediate suspension pending a determination of their future employment status.
Exit question: At what point does CNN's parent organization get tired of the systemic ethical and leadership failures at the news network and fully clean house?
