As a news junkie, I do watch cable news, probably more than is good for my mental health.  But something has been happening at CNN that bothered me for a long time.  That concern has blown up for CNN.

I sometimes watch the night-time shows on cable news, which are, in the United States, all opinion programs.  They come mostly from the left or right, depending on which network you prefer to watch.

What has been concerning for me on CNN has nothing to do with the host’s ideology.  I would regularly see a night-time host, Chris Cuomo, interviewing his brother, the Governor of New York at the time, Andrew Cuomo.

Sorry, but this is journalism 101 for me.  Why would anyone, a journalist or opinion host, be allowed to interview a sibling?  If my brother was an elected official in Fishers, I would either not record a podcast with him or would find some other way to cover him.

In my view, this was the fault of CNN management.  That should never have been allowed on a major news network.

And, let’s be honest.  CNN has become a huge news source world-wide.  It’s difficult to find hard data, but most experts say 80%-90% of CNN’s total revenue comes from outside the United States.  But CNN is an American company and is a major media player domestically.

I contend that CNN should have used ethical standards to keep Chris Cuomo from interviewing his governor brother.

So, what have we now?  The New York Attorney General’s office has released details of how Chris Coumo crossed even more ethical lines in helping his brother Andrew manage a political crisis.  As most of you know, Andrew Cuomo was forced to resign as governor due to allegations of sexual harassment.

Now, I realize I did record a podcast with my brother-in-law Fred Glass, but that was fully disclosed in the first minutes of that podcast and we centered the conversation on his book.

CNN has suspended Chris Cuomo “indefinitely” once the New York Attorney General disclosed the details of his involvement in assisting his brother Andrew weather a political storm.

It would appear Chris Coumo’s efforts to help his brother were not effective.  But that brings me to the key issue, in my view.

If CNN wants to analyze what happened here, the news organization should first look in the mirror.  Allowing arguably unethical standards to prevail set the stage for Chris Cuomo’s suspension.

Perhaps CNN should consider suspending everyone involved in allowing practices of ethical concern.