Commonwealth Policy Center

When Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York was under investigation for sexual abuse allegations, his brother Chris Cuomo, who was working for CNN, attempted to help save his brother’s reputation. While he said he didn’t make calls to the press at the time, an investigation found that he called members of the media to learn of other potential allegations. As a result of this breach of trust and ethics, CNN has suspended Chris Cuomo indefinitely. It is this kind of unethical activity that has led to the slogan “fake news.” Journalists have a responsibility to be ethical in their reporting and shouldn’t use their position to help others who are being investigated, even if they’re a family member. When they don’t, it only discredits journalism.