CNN's Don Lemon warned Jussie Smollett of police investigation

[Sympthsical]

So . . . this came out at the trial yesterday.

CNN host Don Lemon is getting blasted for covering his pal Jussie Smollett’s trial on his late-night show — without mentioning his own central role in tipping off the “Empire” star that he was being investigated by police.

As he took the stand Monday, Smollett, 39, had told the court that he first knew that police doubted his race-hate attack was real after getting a text message from Lemon, saying that was key in his decision not to hand his phone records over to cops.

The testimony quickly sparked comparisons between Lemon and his former CNN love-“brother” Chris Cuomo, who over the weekend was fired for his own meddling in his brother Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s sexual harassment scandal.

But while Cuomo refused to report on his brother’s scandal, Lemon ended his Monday night show with a report on the latest news from the ex-“Empire” star’s trial — with no mention of his own involvement.

https://nypost.com/2021/12/07/don-lemon-did-not-mention-own-role-in-jussie-smollett-trial/

Sorry about the NY Post link. The only other option was Fox News.

Not sure how someone can ethically report on this and not mention their own role in interfering with an investigation.

What is going on over at CNN?

[The_Counsel]

1. .....Sssssssso....Does Mr. Lemon Have a Pink Slip in His Near Future?

It's our understanding that CNN doesn't like it when their on-air personnel uses company resources to help someone who is under investigation or whatever, right?

Right?

Or does that only apply to people named Cuomo?

[kcr]

2. When the only sources for a story you can find are right wing

Then something's up. I don't trust it.

[Sympthsical]

3. It was literally on the record testimony in court

From the defendant himself.

Wouldn't a more salient question be why other news sources aren't covering it?

[Zeitghost]

16. The source is Smolett

He testified to it in court.

[W_HAMILTON]

4. Fuck the New York Post.

Surely there are less biased and more reputable sources out there for this story that you can post instead, yes?

[Sympthsical]

6. Would you have rathered Fox?

It's not my fault the story's getting embargoed so far.

Doesn't really matter about the source, as the information is sworn testimony in open court.

[W_HAMILTON]

18. It does, because you are generating clicks for that website.

And don't give me that conspiratorial "it's getting embargoed!" crap. Do better.

[BlackSkimmer]

14. It's in the court record.

Not that I believe much of what Smollett has to say about anything.

[W_HAMILTON]

19. Then link the court record directly...

...rather than generating clicks and driving up revenue for a rightwing rag that is very much anti-Democratic and anti-democratic.

[Sherman A1]

5. Seems that the uselessness of CNN is becoming more and more apparent

Hopefully this will lead to folks turning off the cable noise machine.

[CrackityJones75]

8. Uhhh not going to happen.

Perhaps move to other cable news channels. Which may not be what we want.

[Sherman A1]

10. They are all pretty much useless in my opinion

Nothing but Drama Infotainment there to fill airtime and collect paychecks.

[OneBlueDotS-Carolina]

7. Three hours of Smerconish...

Maybe CNN could get Seb Gorka & Mark Steyn...to fill in

[Bristlecone]

9. This may be true, but it is starting to feel like a rat-F'ing.

[BeckyDem]

11. CNN, I am not surprised.

Celebrity news commentating on celebrity news, while involved in celebrity news.

[FSogol]

12. Apples and Oranges and a quite lazy attempt to conflate the two issues. Typical of RW media & their

"both sides" bullshit. It is really disappointing to see this slop drug onto DU.

What is Don Lemon Marvel Comics' The Watcher? Is he pledged not to interfere?

Lemon tipped off an acquaintance about possible charges. That info allowed someone to call their lawyer.

Cuomo used his resources to investigate people accusing his brother of felonies. That info would be used to harass and intimidate his brother's victims.

Lemon violated no ethics.

[Sympthsical]

13. A journalist using sources to warn of a criminal investigation?

That's ethical?

When the suspect then uses that information to hamper the investigation?

That's ethical?

Then the "journalist" reports on the story without disclosing the fact he's involved and was literally brought up in trial that day?

That's ethical?

We have very different definitions of that word.

[BlackSkimmer]

15. Yeah, and now Lemon has this disbelieving look on his face when talking about Smollett.

Whereas in the early days he was all on his side.

Shame Smollett is trying to take others down with him. Why he didn’t take a plea, I’ll never understand. It would be forgotten by now.

[brush]

17. Uh-oh. Don Lemon may be out too since CNN fired Cuomo for...

similar actions.

[MerryBlooms]

20. Were there actual texts provided to the court,

Or just Smollett's word, there were texts?

[radius777]

21. What's going on over at FOX?

C'mon now, at least try to be less transparent, makes it more fun.

You do know that FOX basically fed the Trump criminals info for 4 years? How 'bout them ethics? Lemon's ethical lapse (if one could call it that) is tiny in comparison.