TVNewser obtained an email that American Morning EP Edward Litvak sent last night to the A.M. staff: “Chez Pazienza has left ‘American Morning’ and CNN. We wish him well in all of his future endeavors.”
A CNN insider tells TVNewser Pazienza was let go because, “he did not get permission to publish personal writings.”
Those personal writings come from The Huffington Post, where Pazienza has been blogging since January 23. His most recent post, on February 10, took on the controversy surrounding MSNBC correspondent David Shuster.
Dated February 10, the post was titled “Pimp My Riot: In Defense of David Shuster.” In addition to supporting Shuster, the post also attacks MSNBC where, according to his LinkedIn profile, Pazienza worked from 2001-2003.
Pazienza writes, “Factor in the comical twist that Shuster’s official reprimand is being self-righteously administered by NBC News President Steve Capus — the same man who turned ethical somersaults on national television last year to justify his network’s shameful decision to air the manifesto of Virginia Tech gunman Seung-Hui Cho — and you have to wonder what’s really wrong over there at 30 Rock.”
He’s also written about the coverage of Natalee Holloway and the comments FNC’s John Gibson made about Heath Ledger.
Asked about the dismissal, a CNN spokesperson told TVNewser, “We don’t comment on employee matters.”