CNN is Picking Up Some Bad Habits from Fox News

In this episode, Alex starts with an update on how Portugal is dealing with the pandemic. 86.6% of the country is fully vaccinated and instead of mandating vaccines, they are requiring a negative COVID test AND vaccination in order to enter restaurants and bars.

The main focus of the episode is then on the recent news reports that CNN has suspended Chris Cuomo indefinitely. This was after the investigation into his brother’s sexual harassment allegations found that Chris Cuomo may have been violating journalistic integrity standards. According to the Associated Press, “Chris Cuomo pressed sources for information on his brother’s accusers and reported back to the governor’s staff, and was active in helping craft their response to the charges.” Alex talks about how he is surprised that it took CNN this long to suspend Cuomo because of other conflicts of interests and accusations. Alex argues that CNN has taken some notes from Fox News, which has time and time again defended Tucker Carlson, who has had their top-rated show as well. Chris Cuomo and Tucker Carlson are different in many, many ways, but both seem to be protected at their networks because their viewers like the controversy and don’t care. Both have blurred the lines involving what the role of the media should be. This does not create a healthy media and cultural environment in the United States.