11 December 2021: Chris Cuomo's Journalism Ethics Violations

GUEST EDITORIAL: Firing Chris Cuomo: In an era of increasing distrust, journalism ethics matter more than ever

This editorial originated with the editors of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, but was picked up by Glen Falls, New York's Post-Star. After introducing the background to Andrew M. Cuomo's COVID nursing home deaths scandals, they focus on the ethics lapses of both CNN and its star Prime Time presenter Chris Cuomo, brother to the now resigned-in-disgrace Governor of New York. Here's an extended excerpt:

... at a time of record high distrust in news organizations, our attention focuses more on Chris Cuomo and his former employer. For months, CNN allowed him to violate basic journalism ethics in dealing with his brother even as the network’s employees spoke up.

It’s important that Sun Sentinel readers understand these policies. At credible news organizations, staff members can’t donate to political campaigns and can’t participate in campaign events. We don’t advise candidates. Doing so would be grounds for firing.

Now let’s review what Chris Cuomo did.

As noted, he essentially produced infomercials for Andrew Cuomo that could have brought the former governor a lot of money. After Chris Cuomo joined CNN in 2013, the network barred him from interviewing his brother. That ban ended with the pandemic.

Then, last May came the first revelations that Chris Cuomo had worked to help his brother defend against allegations of sexual harassment. CNN at least should have suspended him. The network could have fired him.

Instead, CNN offered Chris Cuomo the chance to go on leave. It was not a demand. Cuomo refused. CNN President Jeff Zucker said something about “very unique circumstances.”

Similarly, Andrew Cuomo tried to brass it out as the allegations piled up. His defenses collapsed when New York Attorney General Letitia James released her investigation into the former governor’s conduct.

Fittingly, that report also implicated Chris Cuomo. It became clear that he had involved himself in his brother’s defense far more than he had acknowledged.

Example: Andrew Cuomo’s chief of staff asked Chris Cuomo to “check with his sources” at news organizations about other women who might be ready to go public with accusations against Andrew Cuomo. “On it,” Chris Cuomo responded.

Example: Chris Cuomo texted the chief of staff to critique a statement that Andrew Cuomo had released.

Example: Chris Cuomo offered to dig up information on one of his brother’s accusers. He texted the chief of staff that he had “a lead on the wedding girl,” referring to a woman who had accused Andrew Cuomo of groping her at a wedding.

Example: Chris Cuomo suggested that his brother dismiss the allegations by saying, “Sometimes I am playful and make jokes.” Andrew Cuomo did so.

Chris Cuomo tried to defend himself by saying that brothers help brothers. Elisa Batista is campaign director at UltraViolet, a gender justice organization.

“This wasn’t just brothers talking about their lives, or even about politics,” Batista said in a statement. “This was a major network news anchor actively working to support the former governor of New York in pushing back against sexual harassment allegations and denigrating survivors of abuse.”

We featured this lengthy excerpt in part to make the point that Chris Cuomo's journalistic misconduct related to supporting his powerful politician brother was highly visible to observers outside CNN as early as May 2020. That ethical misconduct was even more visible to CNN's insiders, including its managers and editors and producers, who saw much more of it from a much earlier date and tolerated it with excuses for far too long.

Until those managers and editors are axed from the broadcast outlet, CNN will remain the Cuomo News Network. Its journalistic credibility is shot.

Speaking of which, here's another example for why that's the case, involving one of Chris Cuomo's former producers.