Shelby Talcott on October 24, 2019
CNN President Jeff Zucker bashed Fox News at the “Citizen by CNN Forum” Thursday, telling host Brian Stelter that the network is “akin to state-run TV” that’s “morphed into conspiracy TV.”
“Citizen by CNN” is a “civic engagement platform” designed to “discuss issues that matter, the motivations to vote and the importance of being informed and engaged in the political process,” according to the network. Its 2019 conference Thursday in New York City featured numerous reporters, lawmakers and more.
Zucker, who took over as president of CNN Worldwide in January 2013, was one of the speakers at the event. Zucker briefly talked about Fox News after Stelter asked what former Fox News anchor Shepard Smith’s departure meant for the network. Smith abruptly left Fox Oct. 11, walking away from a reported $15 million a year contract according to Forbes.
“Listen, I’ve said before, it’s akin to state-run TV, I think it’s morphed into conspiracy TV, and its not a place where somebody like Shep Smith could work…I don’t think it’s a journalistic organization,” Zucker said.
“Are there a handful of really good journalists in that organization? Sure,” CNN’s president continued. “Is there one or two really good anchors at that organization? Sure. But that doesn’t make it a news organization. And it doesn’t make it a journalistic enterprise.”
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Matt Dornic, vice president of CNN Communications, noted that the network stands by Zucker’s comment.
“The comments are the comments,” Dornic told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “Rather, the comment is the comment.”
Zucker noted that Stelter doesn’t agree with his characterization of Fox News, but continued on with his explanation, saying that the network has been a part of peddling conspiracy theories.
“They’re responsible for a lot of the problems in this country by having instituted a tremendous amount of conspiracies in this country, and, you know, that’s why I think the way you and others characterize that organization as, you know, having a news side and an opinion side is completely erroneous,” Zucker added.
Fox News did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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They have been using that “conspiracy theory” on us conservatives for years already. Problem is, they don’t want Fox News telling the truth. Fox News has their Democrats on the program and they don’t disrespect them like the leftist news organization does. They need to control their hatred for this President and get back to honest journalism. By that, I mean don’t be telling their viewers to “accept” things that aren’t normal.
Interesting comments coming from the guy who runs the Communist News Network, very much akin to Pravda and Izvestia.
Can you believe the nerve of this guy saying Fox News is “akin to state-run TV”. Jeff *ucker is the same guy who gave marching orders to the minions at CNN to continue the Russia and Ukraine lies. Dems…..you gotta love them. Or not!
it a fact that CCN is deep state run TV NEWS
Whiny Zucker, trying to deflect because his network is in the toilet, while Fox is getting the highest ratings.
Lets see, Zucker thinks if one of his so called opions is fact, typical liberal, if the say it its the truth. Bul;;;;sh;;. we need some place we can get the facts like Fox news or one america News, Please.
And this attack on Fox comes from the CNN boss who runs to the control room and tells their interviewers to attack the guests, and tells the on camera staff how to do their job in their ear piece, and eachy morning gives the staff a pep talk about impeachment being the message every day. This comes from a guy who’s network is tanking. He’s a far left progressive globablist who is obsessed with impeaching Pres Trump.
have a pork chop Zucker.
This guy is such a loser he reminds me of Harvey Weinstein.
Anyway … seems State-run TV is twice as popular as Jeff-run TV … and it occasionally has some ACTUAL news.