The Political Insider

This week, CNN reinstated a ban on host Chris Cuomo from interviewing or covering news related to his brother, embattled New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

This ban came in the wake of reports emerging on Wednesday that Gov. Cuomo is now under criminal investigation into his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his policy on nursing homes during this time.

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CNN Reinstates Ban On Cuomo Covering His Governor Brother

“The early months of the pandemic crisis were an extraordinary time,” CNN said in a statement. “We felt that Chris speaking with his brother about the challenges of what millions of American families were struggling with was of significant human interest.”

This statement sounds like putting entertainment over news, doesn’t it? Isn’t the media supposed to hold politicians accountable and speak truth to power?

“As a result, we made an exception to a rule that we have had in place since 2013 which prevents Chris from interviewing and covering his brother, and that rule remains in place today,” the statement continued.

“CNN has covered the news surrounding Governor Cuomo extensively.”

This announcement was made after reports came on Wednesday that Gov. Cuomo was under federal investigation.  

Albany, New York’s The Times-Union reported Wednesday, “The probe by the U.S. attorney’s office in the Eastern District of New York is apparently in its early stages and is focusing on the work of some of the senior members of the governor’s task force.” 

‘I Doubt Even North Korea Would Allow An Anchor To ‘Interview’ His Own Brother’

The Times-Union noted that the governor’s nursing home policy during the pandemic was a focus of their investigation.

“Nearly three weeks after the governor’s task force was announced last year, the state health department issued an order directing nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that they must accept residents who were being discharged from hospitals even if they were still testing positive for the infectious disease, as long as they were able to care for them properly,” the outlet reported.

Many observers criticized CNN for allowing the governor of New York to be interviewed by his brother in their employ.

Progressive journalist Glenn Greenwald blasted the spectacle.

“This is one of the most embarrassing and self-destructive things I’ve seen a news outlet do,” Greenwald tweeted in June.

“I doubt even North Korean State TV would allow an anchor to ‘interview’ his own brother and use their airwaves to declare him a Great and Noble Leader,” Greenwald added.

“Dynastic political power + State TV,” Greenwald finished.

RELATED: Cuomo Threatens Democrat State Legislators Over COVID Nursing Home Scandal

Chris On Andrew In June: ‘As A Brother, I Am Proud’

Chris Cuomo tweeted at the time, in June, “Not objective but true, the facts tell the story. NY had & has its struggles but they’re doing way better than what we see elsewhere & no way that happens without the Luv Guv dishing the real 24/7.”

“He works with relentless intensity & NY’s better for it,” the younger Cuomo claimed. “And as a brother, I am proud.”

It will be interesting to see how “proud” Chris remains of his brother – who is also now accused of threatening his fellow Democrats over the nursing home scandal.