Coverage of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s sexual harassment scandal is generally the same across the spectrum. He is facing calls to resign.
Summary
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is under fire after the state Attorney General released a report corroborating the allegations of 11 women that he sexually harassed them.
- The wide-ranging probe detailed inappropriate touching and verbal remarks by Cuomo and confirmed the governor’s team retaliated against one former employee who spoke publicly about the behavior.
- Literally every major Democratic politician is calling for Cuomo to resign, including President Biden and New York’s senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.
- While Cuomo is denying all allegations and defiant of the calls to resign, the New York Assembly is preparing to impeachthe governor.
- Governor Cuomo’s brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, is caught up in the scandal as the Attorney General’s report includes information showing the TV host offering his brother advice on how to respond to the allegations.
- The Daily Beast highlighted Biden’s tepid response yesterday, noting the President previously said he would support those calling for Cuomo’s resignation if the allegations proved true, ending their coverage with reference to somewhat similar allegations against Biden himself.
- CNN’s Chief Media Correspondent and human potato Brian Stelter discussed “the CNN angle”, referring to Gov. Cuomo’s brother and CNN anchor Chris Cuomo participating in the governor’s defense. Stelter effectively ran defense for CNN, saying CNN employees were supportive of Chris Cuomo.
- Huffington Post largely stuck to the facts, including Biden’s call for Cuomo’s resignation, and the efforts on NY Democrats to begin impeachment proceedings against the governor.
- Newsmax’s original reporting highlighted Congressional leaders’ demand that Gov. Cuomo resign after the release of the report, quoting Speaker Nancy Pelosi and NY Sen. Chuck Schumer, and noting the entire New York congressional delegation (including the Republicans, obviously) have joined in the resignation calls.
- Townhall.com and Breitbart zeroed in on Chris Cuomo’s involvement in the scandal, with Townhall quoting the AG’s report that Chris received “confidential and often privileged information” from the governor’s office while responding to sexual harassment allegations.
- The Daily Caller’s reporting on the scandal noted that a Cuomo aide forged the governor’s signature on a document saying he “had completed a mandatory sexual harassment training in 2019.”
Author’s Take
The coverage on the scandal, save for CNN’s Stelter trying in vain to salvage his colleague’s and network’s reputation, appeared similar in tone across the spectrum. It boggles the mind how Chris Cuomo is still employed let alone allowed to be on the air right now. Has CNN completely given up on even the pretense of having journalistic ethics? The phrase “HR doesn’t work for you; HR works for the company” comes to mind. Stelter is HR, not a reporter.
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© Dallas Gerber, 2021
