21 December 2021: Editorial - Chris Cuomo Had to Be Held To Higher Standard

EDITORIAL: Cuomo had to be held to higher standard

We've reached the bottom story of a slow news day, which by definition, involves the journalism ethics-challenged Chris Cuomo. What makes this editorial stand out is that its from the Tahlequah Daily Press, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma:

On Dec. 4, after "further evaluation," CNN sacked Chris Cuomo. A review involving a law firm determined Chris had crossed a hard line and tried to help Andrew rehabilitate his image after many women came forward to say the former governor sexually harassed them. In fact, Chris was evidently an "unpaid aide" to Andrew, and as such, he tried to parlay his media connections into an engine to prep Andrew's team as more accusers came forward. Text message revealed the extent of Chris' work for his brother, which included attempts to gather information on women who had the temerity to reveal what Andrew did to them.

Many of Chris Cuomo's former co-workers expressed disgust at this behavior, as well they should. After putting himself forward as a stand-up guy, and one who took seriously the norms long established for what the Constitution generically referred to as "the press," he has now shown himself willing to roll in the gutter with others in the public eye like Bill O'Reilly. That man, everyone will recall, was accused of improper behavior by a number of women, before Fox finally kicked him to the curb. O'Reilly, though, was more of an incendiary talking head, whereas Chris Cuomo was put forth as an actual journalist. And he may have done more than just try to redeem his brother; allegations of misconduct have also surfaced from Chris' past.

Colleague Anderson Cooper, who hasn't soiled his journalistic coattails, called Chris Cuomo a friend, and said he felt terrible for him, but: "Journalists have strict ethics and strict rules that we are to abide by, and if you don't abide by them, there are repercussions." Dang straight, there are – and there should be.

Chris Cuomo needs to find another career, and it shouldn't be anywhere close to journalism. Perhaps he can write a book about his family woes. Or better yet, he can pen a tome explaining how talking heads can let power go to those same heads, and cost them their journalistic creds.

As watchdogs and members of the Fourth Estate, journalists are meant to hold to the fire the feet of leaders. Those watchdogs must be held to a higher standard than any politician could ever hope to reach.

Speaking of slow news days, since we're soon coming up on the holidays, we don't expect much news between the Christmas and New Year's holidays, when we anticipate our posting will be scarce. Before then, we're hoping to get some news about a meeting between the New York Attorney General's and JCOPE's staffs that was hinted at would be this week, but no stories have broken as yet in the newstreams.