CNN Media Reporter Warns Own Network Against Partnering With ‘Extremist’ Orgs He Ripped NBC For Working With: ‘Terrible Look’
Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA, via AP Images
CNN senior media reporter Oliver Darcy warned his network against partnering with two organizations he accused of peddling “extremist rhetoric” on Wednesday just days after criticizing NBC News for partnering with the same organizations.
On Monday, Darcy criticized NBC News in CNN’s Reliable Sources newsletter for agreeing to host the third 2024 Republican primary debate in partnership with the conservative Salem Radio Network and YouTube alternative Rumble.
Darcy wrote that it was “striking that NBC News would agree to link arms with such organizations,” which he accused of having “a history peddling and profiting off extremist rhetoric” and of having “legitimized radical voices in recent years.”
He concluded, “NBC News has made its decision. Now it’s up to other news organizations to do so as well.”
On Wednesday, RNC spokesman Keith Schipper responded to Darcy’s newsletter by revealing to The Spectator that CNN had also been trying to host a debate in partnership with both organizations.
“CNN has and continues to pitch the RNC on doing a debate with Salem, and agreed to have Rumble as the livestream partner,” Schipper told the magazine.
Darcy responded to the development in Wednesday’s edition of the Reliable Sources newsletter, where he warned CNN against following in NBC News’ footsteps.
“It seems it wasn’t just NBC News willing to partner for a GOP primary debate with Salem Radio Network and Rumble, two right-wing media companies that have a history peddling and profiting off extremist rhetoric,” Darcy declared. “When reached for comment Wednesday evening, a CNN spokesperson declined to comment to me on the matter.”
Darcy — who called out CNN in May for hosting a town hall with former President Donald Trump — concluded, “The revelation from the RNC came after we pointed out earlier this week that NBC News’ partnership with the two companies was striking, given Salem and Rumble’s history of legitimizing and empowering radical voices. And it would be striking if CNN wanted to link arms with those two companies as well. In fact, it would be a terrible look.”
