By:
May 25, 2021

Last week, CNN’s Chris Cuomo came under criticism, including from me, for advising his brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Several women have accused the governor of sexual misconduct and Chris Cuomo confirmed a Washington Post report that he was a part of strategy sessions on how Andrew should deal with the accusations.

It seems fairly evident that journalists helping politicians is crossing a line.

On Monday, Gov. Cuomo defended Chris Cuomo and seemed to think it all was no big deal.

“I had conversations with my brother. I always have conversations with my brother because he’s my brother and he’s my best friend,” Andrew Cuomo said. “Obviously, he was aware of what was going on and I talked to him about it, and he told me his thoughts. He always tells me his thoughts. Sometimes I follow them, sometimes I don’t. He was not covering the story. He had recused himself from the story.”

Then, Gov. Cuomo added this surprising admission: “But I talk to journalists about situations all the time and they tell me their thoughts and their advice.”

So, of course, the next question is: Who else is Cuomo talking to? The New York Post was one outlet that asked that very question, but has not heard back from the governor or his office.

This piece originally appeared in The Poynter Report, our daily newsletter for everyone who cares about the media. Subscribe to The Poynter Report here.

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Tom Jones is Poynter’s senior media writer for Poynter.org. He was previously part of the Tampa Bay Times family during three stints over some 30…
Tom Jones

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