It was obvious to many that covering New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on the same network brother Chris Cuomo was a primetime anchor on raised questions, and now CNN has admitted lines were crossed. CNN released a statement saying Chris Cuomo “was inappropriate” to advise the comms team for his brother, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo advised his brother, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, and senior members of the governor’s staff on how to respond to sexual harassment allegations made earlier this year by women who had worked with the governor, according to four people familiar with the discussions.
Cuomo, one of the network’s top stars, joined a series of conference calls that included the Democratic governor’s top aide, his communications team, lawyers and a number of outside advisers, according to the people familiar with the conversations, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the private sessions.
The calls occurred earlier this year, when a growing number of claims that Andrew Cuomo made inappropriate comments or touched women without their permission had escalated into a political crisis for the three-term governor.
The cable news anchor encouraged his brother to take a defiant position and not to resign from the governor’s office, the people said. At one point, he used the phrase “cancel culture” as a reason to hold firm in the face of the allegations, two people present on one call said.
The behind-the-scenes strategy offered by Chris Cuomo, who anchors CNN’s 9 p.m. nightly newscast, cuts against the widely accepted norm in journalism that those reporting the news should not be involved in politics.
“If you are actively advising a politician in trouble while being an on-air host on a news network, that’s not okay,” said Nicholas Lemann, a professor at Columbia Journalism School and a New Yorker staff writer.
In a statement, CNN acknowledged that Chris Cuomo took part in the strategy sessions, saying his involvement was a mistake.
“Chris has not been involved in CNN’s extensive coverage of the allegations against Governor Cuomo — on air or behind the scenes,” the network said in a statement. “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,” the statement added. “He will not participate in such conversations going forward.”
The network said Cuomo will not be disciplined.
Yet another example of professionals in certain professions being allowed to commit glaring lapses in professional judgement and have the PTB treat them like children who just didn’t know better, but do now (pinky swear!).Report
Oddly enough, I can get more behind the reasoning that Chris shouldn’t be given a job at all in political reporting because of the clear conflict of interest he has due to his brother’s governorship, but I have a hard time getting heated up about a brother advising a brother on a problem.
I think recusing himself and his coverage from commenting on this specific issue was a reasonable approach (though really it should be just a blanket recusation and not this specific thing recusation).Report
Why am I not surprised by this. Of course, how long has he been doing this and CNN didn’t do squat? A year?Report
“…two people present on one call said.”
cuomo inspires such loyalty…
for real though, how difficult is it to keep something like this under wraps? don’t participate in conference calls with others, don’t talk over unsecured means, and never text or write emails about it. talk to your meathead brother and have him pass your notes along.Report