If CNN wants to live up to its billing as “the most trusted name in news,” the network has some cleanup to do after this disaster.
"Nearly two years ago, in spring 2020, CNN found itself with a blockbuster. The network put anchor Chris Cuomo on air interviewing his brother, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, about his state’s response to COVID-19. The string of segments made Andrew Cuomo a liberal hero, feted as the anti–Donald Trump, and the fraternal jibes between the men made for entertaining viewing.
"The term blockbuster is borrowed from a massive bomb–and this one has gone off with devastating results. Andrew Cuomo was forced to step down this past August. Chris Cuomo was fired in December. CNN’s worldwide president, Jeff Zucker, has resigned. The circumstances of his departure are still unclear: He acknowledged failing to disclose a relationship with a subordinate, though the liaison seems to have been an open secret, and some CNN staffers question the official narrative. Zucker’s romantic partner, Allison Gollust, CNN’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer, has also resigned. Amid the murk, new details about the Cuomo mess have slowly emerged.
"Even at the time of the Cuomo COVID interviews, it was clear that CNN was making a journalistic error by choosing ratings over responsible journalism. The decision to have Cuomo the anchor interview Cuomo the governor was always a blatant conflict of interest—charming, but a betrayal of the mission of accountability. New reporting suggests the rot was even deeper: Zucker and Gollust, who had served as Andrew Cuomo’s communications director in 2012 and 2013, were reportedly in regular contact with the governor, pressing him to speak to CNN and discussing interview topics with him ahead of time. In other words, CNN wasn’t just passively accepting the Cuomo Brothers Show in a cynical ploy for ratings. Its top executives were instigating the whole fiasco.". . .
The Atlantic then proceeds to discuss the corruption they see in Fox News, referring to a number of CNN reporters as "CNN’s excellent journalists".
The Man Who Could Save CNN › American Greatness (amgreatness.com) . . ."Well, obviously. But if the great white business shark Malone wants to step up and really fix what’s ailing CNN, here’s what he might do:
1) Dump CNN’s entire anchor staff, their producers, and any editorial staffer hired by Jeff “Mother” Zucker. No exceptions.
2) As a stopgap, replace domestic broadcasts with CNN International, with its familiar “classic CNN” news package style. Over time, work in more unaccented reporters and anchors.
3) Promote Senior Vice President Jack Womack to be HMFIC (head man forcefully in charge) of CNN.
4) Give Womack his marching orders and get the hell out of the way.
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