Bias is defined as an impartial judgement that is unreasonable due to one’s attachment towards the subject (Merriam-Webster, n.d). It can be difficult for one to overcome internal biases. They are often deeply ingrained in one’s personality formed by development, cultural values, family, religion, and life experiences. Personal relationships often allow biases to remain unchallenged as many will avoid divisive confrontations and criticism to preserve relationships. But what happens when one’s personal life becomes intertwined with their professional life? An example of familial bonds allowing bias to overcome one’s professionalism is the Cuomo brothers and their COVID interviews. First, Chris Cuomo, a lead news anchor on CNN and a COVID survivor, interviewed his older brother Andrew the Governor of New York, on COVID. The brothers’ closeness and biases made viewers question the information provided in their COVID interviews. Moreover, it appears that Chris Cuomo broke journalism ethics by allowing his biases to overcome his objectivity when interviewing his brother about his response to the COVID outbreak in New York. Often, one does not think of the ethical problems that can stem from their personal bonds and how the integration of these bonds within the workplace are met with criticism. All in all, biases are challenging obstacles to objectivity and must be addressed to maintain professionalism.
When interacting with a loved one or family member, conflicts of interest are inevitable; despite attempts to remain neutral and objective unconscious bias can seep in and cloud one’s judgement. This was evident in the highly scrutinized COVID interviews between the Cuomo brothers. What should have been a serious and objective interview on a major news network regarding Governor Cuomo’s response to New York’s COVID outbreak became a joyful banter session between the brothers. Chris’ relationship with Governor Cuomo led to an unconscious bias saturating the interview which limited his objectivity. For example, Chris jokingly wore a hat with his own show’s name while interviewing Andrew (Lauricella, 2020). While some viewers saw the brothers’ interactions as entertaining, others suggested that, given the gravity of the topic, levity was not what audiences needed (Chiu, 2020). Furthermore, due to the brother’s strong familial bond, they appeared hesitant to be critical to one another (Pech, Leibel, 2006). For example, it was apparent that Christopher looked up to his older brother, as evidenced by him commenting that Andrew shares similarities with their father, such as the inability to end a conversation and the need to interject when spoken over (Chiu, 2020). Some have suggested that the comedic angle of the interviews was used to draw an increased viewership and improve the brothers’ perception when discussing Andrew’s handling of the pandemic brings forth ethical problems surrounding an unconscious bias (Cuomo Prime Time, 2020). Many found this troubling and suggested that if Governor Cuomo’s handling of NY’s outbreak was as successful as the brothers suggested it was, New York would not have roughly thirty thousand deaths attributed to COVID (Concha, 2020). To me, this relationship has clouded Chris’ ability to remain objective and neutral when discussing politics. Chris’ relationship with his brother creates a disruption in the ethics of journalism as it is very hard to remain neutral when discussing public matters with family — often resulting in only positive remarks being brought up.
After being diagnosed with Covid-19, Andrew stated Chris was becoming the people’s voice and helping them understand what it is like living with this disease (Higgins-Dunn, 2020). Still, this distinction becomes challenging to evaluate for me as Andrew uses his brother as an example of the typical COVID survivor. Many who have suffered under Covid-19 have vastly different experiences than wealthy survivors like Chris. As a result of the pandemic, many Americans were laid off work and about thirty-six million applying for jobless benefits as of March. Around six million were unable to qualify for any backup healthcare plan (Panetta,2020). Many Americans, especially viewers from New York, found the brothers’ positive light insulting to those who suffered from COVID. Frustrations grew surrounding how Governor Andrew Cuomo evaded criticism despite New York having the highest death toll of all fifty states. Some argued that Cuomo should be held to the same accountability the president is held to (Concha, 2020). With Christopher Cuomo reframing his COVID-19 diagnoses to help support his brother, this made me feel uncomfortable as this does not account for many who are suffering from this disease. I wished that another reporter interviewed Governor Cuomo this, especially one that would not hesitate to bring up his past political actions and response during the initial outbreak. Writing In Solidarity: Steps Toward an Ethic of Care for Journalism introduces the notion that no view comes from “nowhere,” and Cuomo’s affinity for his brother has allowed this to eliminate a critical view of Governor Cuomo, he looks up to them. Their interactions framed in humourous light — although can create comfort for their viewers — it also veers towards problematic issues when it lowers the intensity these stories require.
The sudden shift from New York being the tragic story within the epicentre of America’s COVID outbreak to Governor Andrew’s uplifting story of reducing the virus’s spread surprised many. After all, Governor Cuomo also failed elderly probe requests and cut Medicaid — removing hospital space that would have been beneficial during the pandemic. (Gold, Robinson, 2020). Many New York residents were not given the support they needed and were not enthusiastic about seeing him labelled a hero during this pandemic (Berman, 2020). Despite the brothers having a lively exchange on CNN’s Cuomo Prime Time, other journalists were displeased with Governor Cuomo’s COVID response’s positive reframing. Chris failed to adhere to the ethics of journalism when he presented an idealized image of his brother that lacks a lot of nuance in this portrayal (Pech, Leibel, 2006). Even fellow CNN journalist Jake Tapper expressed his concerns with Andrew Cuomo, as he felt concerned over how criticism about Andrew’s negligence suddenly turned into adorations after the positive interviews aired. Moreover, Tapper grew tired of the many accolades the Governor was receiving from his brother and stated that Governor Cuomo needed to face criticism and accountability for his actions during the initial outbreak (Concha, 2020). Furthermore, Cuomo’s constant praise breaks ethical guidelines. Their relationship does not promote a sense of authenticity as Andrew’s image is framed in how his brother views him, which is full of adoration (Pech, Leibel, 2006). This was startling to some as at the start of the pandemic; Governor Cuomo had an inadequate response towards the pandemic.
For instance, Governor Cuomo often delayed the New York state’s closure in fear of inciting unnecessary panic, instead shifting blame to the press for under-reporting the pandemic and risks involved. Despite these claims, publications such as the New York Times often reported the severity of COVID before the state enacted social distancing protocols (Gold, Robinson, 2020). To me, the close bond the brothers have prevented Chris from removing himself from discussions surrounding COVID, with him testing positive for COVID and his brother as Governor, responsible for the safety and well-being of those diagnosed with the disease in New York State. The relationship a journalist should have with the public becomes fractured as the spreading of news is partly warped through the personal obligation he has with his brother (Pech, Leibel, 2006). While New York has recovered from the initial outbreak and lowered the spread of infection, many felt that it was not appropriate for Chris to congratulate him while other leaders were still facing backlash for their actions during the outbreak. While the relationship between Andrew and Christopher Cuomo is positive, to me, it only seems to serve as a distraction from policies that deserve far more attention. Even actions within the family should receive far more scrutiny, with Andrew falling in his father’s footsteps as Governor.
A person’s ability to remain neutral in divisive satiations is challenging but is especially so when interacting with a loved one. This was noted when Chris Cuomo interviewed his brother Governor Andrew on his response to COVID. Many of their interactions reflect how Christopher idolizes his older brother; their bond is so strong that it is difficult to believe that bias did not seep into their interactions and alter the interview’s tone. The neutrality needed for the relationship between the public and the journalist was absent due to Chris’ ties to both COVID and his brother. Therefore, by making only positive remarks, Christopher Cuomo helps prop up his image and helped shape the narrative of Governor Cuomo as a hero to the state (Pech, Leibel, 2006). However, despite Christopher intending to stray away from politics, to me, this comes off as ignorance since politics are part of the very fabric that binds his family together. Politics are a powerful force as many cannot afford to ignore its influence, especially when it can threaten their way of life; the Covid-19 epidemic has made this evident. All in all, when work and family collide, one must strive to be objective and overcome concerns of damaging personal bonds to maintain professionalism.
References
Berman, R. (2020, August 17). No, COVID-19 Is Not a Metaphor. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/08/cuomo-new-york-coronavirus/615352/
Bias. (n.d.). Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bias
Chiu, A. (2020, March 24). ‘The comedy routine America needs right now’: The Cuomo brothers return to prime time. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/03/24/tv-cnn-cuomo/
Chris Cuomo teases brother Andrew Cuomo with giant test swab — CNN Video. (2020, May 21). Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/05/21/chris-andrew-cuomo-swabs-test-joke-cpt-vpx.cnn
Concha, J. (2020, July 14). CNN’s Tapper rips Cuomo ‘crowing’ about COVID-19 handling: ‘No other state has lost as many lives’. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://thehill.com/homenews/media/507237-cnns-tapper-rips-cuomo-crowing-about-covid-19-handling-no-other-state-has-lost
Higgins-Dunn, N. (2020, April 02). Watch live: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo holds a press conference on the coronavirus outbreak. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/02/watch-live-ny-gov-andrew-cuomo-holds-a-press-conference-on-the-coronavirus.html
Lauricella, S. (2020, May 26). Pandemic Prime Time for the Cuomo Brothers. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://mediaethicsinitiative.org/2020/05/26/pandemic-prime-time-for-the-cuomo-brothers/
Panetta, A. (2020, May 14). COVID-19 is making health-care reform a U.S. election issue | CBC News. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/us-health-insurance-woes-1.5567896
Pech, G., & Leibel, R. (2006). Writing in Solidarity: Steps Toward an Ethic of Care for Journalism. Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 21(2), 141–155. doi:10.1207/s15327728jmme2102&3_4
Robinson, N., & Gold, L. (2020, May 20). Andrew Cuomo is no hero. He’s to blame for New York’s coronavirus catastrophe | Lyta Gold and Nathan Robinson. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/20/andrew-cuomo-new-york-coronavirus-catastrophe
