On Monday night’s broadcast newscasts, there were two forms of bias through omission. Although CBS Evening News ignored the New York attorney general’s office releasing thousands of pages of documents and hours of video testimony from the investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D), ABC’s World News Tonight ignored how that evidence exposed the role of their former reporter, CNN’s Chris “Fredo” Cuomo played in coordinating the response from his brother’s PR team.
Instead of reporting on the newly released evidence against Andrew, CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell spent over two minutes (2:12) hyping Cyber Monday deals. The White House Christmas decorations were also her favorite (19 second). The trial against Jussie Stullett, actor for the hate crime hoax, was also skipped by her.
Meanwhile, over on ABC, correspondent Trevor Ault was playing soundbites from Andrew’s testimony to investigators:
INVESTIGATOR
[Transition]
ANDREW CUOMO – Inappropriate I presume means a sexual relationship between my female staff members? It is not.
“Today, the New York attorney general releasing nearly nine hours of video testimony over 11 hours of questioning, recorded in July as part of their investigation, which found Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, leading to his resignation,” he reported.
Adding: “The attorney general’s report said they found Cuomo’s ‘Denials to lack credibility and to be inconsistent with the weight of the evidence obtained during our investigation.’”
Over on NBC, chief environmental affairs correspondent Anne Thompson selected even grosser soundbites from Andrew’s interview with investigators to share with viewers:
INVESTIGATOR
CUOMO – Girlfriend can be defined as a variety of things for different people.
But the part where Thompson’s report differed from Ault’s was mentioning the crucial evidence of how Chris worked closelyMelissa DeRosa, his top aide, was crafting his responses and feeding talk points to allies. Most disturbingly, he also exploited his journalistic connections to spy on journalists publishing accusations and find out about at least one accuser.
“Today’s release also includes an interview with his brother CNN’s Chris Cuomo and text messages showing he tried to help the Governor’s staff by checking his sources about new accusers,” Thompson reported. “Tonight, CNN says it will review the attorney general’s documents and have conversations over the next few days about how they relate to CNN.”
And NBC felt it was such an important part of the story that anchor Lester Holt even teased it at the top of the program. “New video of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo testifying in his sexual harassment investigation. The tense exchanges and what documents reveal about news anchor Chris Cuomo’s role in defending his brother,” he said.
You would expect ABC and CBS to be horrified that one of their journalists would do such an inhumane thing as to undermine journalistic ethics. Says a lot about them too.
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ABC’s World News Tonight
November 29th, 2021
Eastern at 6:39 p.m.DAVIDMUIR : The other news is that New York’s attorney General has made public an extensive collection of new evidence arising from an investigation into sexual harassment in the case against Andrew Cuomo, former governor. We are seeing the video of many hours of testimony as new evidence. Tonight’s program will feature him answering questions and hearing testimony from several accusers. ABC’s Trevor Ault is here.
[Cuts to video]
TREVOR AULT – This video is your first viewing of the testimony of Andrew Cuomo (ex-Gouvernor of New York).
INVESTIGATOR
[Transition]
ANDREW CUOMO – Inappropriate I presume means a sexual relationship between my female staff members? It is not.
AULT Today: The New York Attorney General released nearly nine hours worth of video evidence over eleven hours of questioning. This was recorded during their July investigation which revealed that Cuomo had sexually harassed 11 women and led to Cuomo’s resignation.
Cuomo’s evidence was not the only one released by the AG’s Office. Six accusers were also included in this release, including ex-aides Lindsay Boylan and Charlotte Bennett.
INVESTIGATOR – So you hugged Ms. Commisso.
CUOMO. I’ve hugged her and she initiated many of my hugs.
AULT
BRITTANY COMISSO: His hand just slipped up my blouse. And I can remember staring down. His hand was large and I can see it over my — I think that’s what I recall.
AULT. The report by the attorney general stated that Cuomo’s denials were not credible and inconsistent with the evidence gathered during the investigation. In light of that alleged incident, the ex-governor is facing a misdemeanor conviction forcible touch.
Cuomo claims that the interaction did not take place and has denied any allegations of sexual misconduct. However, he publicly apologized to 11 women who were accused.
CUOMO – This does not mean that I don’t offend 11 women. Yes, there are. And I deeply, profoundly apologise for this.
[Cuts back to live]
MUIR : Trevor Ault joins us tonight. Trevor, can you give us any information from the ex-governor on these videos or these questions?
AULT. Well, David, his lawyers have been very critical. This was an alleged manipulation of testimony, with editing and redactions. David Cuomo will still be charged with the misdemeanor in January. However, Albany’s district attorney continues to review that case. David?
MUIR : Trevor Ault will also be joining us tonight. Trevor, we are grateful.
NBC Nightly News
November 29th, 2021
Eastern, 7:14:09 PMLESTER HOLT – Tonight’s newly released video features Andrew Cuomo as a former Governor of New York being quizzed about sexual harassment claims. Anne Thompson.
[Cuts to video]
ANNE TIPSON: Nearly 11 hours of interrogation under oath.
ANDREW CUOMO – Yes.
THOMPSON: Accusations of Sexual Harassment
CUOMO – If someone had sat down on my lap, well, they wouldn’t have — I wouldn’t force them to leave. That’s what you know. As a rule of thumb, however, it is not.
THOMPSON – The former governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, was sometimes a testy member of the investigation team.
INVESTIGATOR
CUOMO: A girl friend can be interpreted in many different ways.
THOMPSON – Denying the claims of Lindsey Boylan an ex-administration official, that he wanted her to play Strip Poker.
CUOMO: It has never happened.
THOMPSON: Questioning whether he gave Anna Ruch an unwelcome advance at a wedding. This photo was published in The New York Times.
INVESTIGATOR – Do you recall ever asking her? Can I have a kiss with you?
CUOMO: No. It’s hard to remember.
THOMPSON, Cuomo’s videos and the six accusers were released by New York Attorney General’s Office today. Cuomo, who allegedly touched an executive assistant’s breast during December 2020 at the Executive Mansion will be brought before a judge in January. The story is similar to that of Brittany Commisso, executive assistant.
BRITTANY COMISSO: His hands were just sliding up my blouse, I think.
THOMPSON. Cuomo says that it never happened.
CUOMO – It is an act of madness to touch a woman’s breast and be made vulnerable by a woman for making such an accusation.
THOMPSON – Today’s press release includes an interview with Chris Cuomo, his brother on CNN. Also included are text messages indicating that he attempted to assist the Governor’s office by checking sources for new accusers.
[Cuts back to live]
CNN announced tonight that it would review documents from the attorney general and will have discussions over the coming days regarding how these relate to CNN. Lester?
Anne Thompson, we are grateful for your HOLT.
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