CNN was the only cable news channel to carry the press conference hosted by attorney Gloria Allred, alleging that GOP candidate Herman Cain sexually harassed a fourth woman. This is the second Cain-related press conference that CNN has carried live, while Fox News and MSNBC have stayed away from.
On Friday, the attorney for another accuser held a press conference, and the fact that CNN covered it live while its competitors ignored it was discussed on “Reliable Sources” with host Howard Kurtz asking about his own network, “CNN covered it live. Should CNN have covered it live?” His guest, Keli Goff responded, “Well, yes — CNN should cover it because it’s — whether we like it or not, it’s a news story, right? And it’s become a major news story.”
MSNBC covered the allegations without televising the conference live, and featured a chyron that said “NBC News has not confirmed 4th accuser’s story.” Fox News told viewers to go to FoxNews.com if they wanted to watch the presser.
The press conference actually started late, and was taken over by Howard Stern producer Benjy Bronk, who used Allred’s absence as an opportunity to take the podium. All of the TV networks either cut away or muted the sound, though online streams still carried Bronk, who also hijacked the Anthony Weiner press conferences earlier this year.