The New York Post is reporting that there was a recent meeting between NBC head Jeff Zucker and some of the CNBC anchors and reporters to discuss the business news network’s recent tone in its stories.
The Post reports, “One topic under the microscope, our insider said, was on-air CNBC editor Rick Santelli‘s rant two months ago about staging a ‘Chicago Tea Party’ to protest the president’s bailout programs — an idea that spawned tax protest tea parties in other big cities, infuriating the White House. Oddly, Santelli was not at the meeting, while Jim Cramer was, noted our source, who added that no edict was ultimately handed down by the network chieftains.
“CNBC flack Brian Steel confirmed the get-together, but insisted: ‘The dinner was to thank CNBC for a job well done in our in-depth reporting throughout the financial crisis. As far as our coverage is concerned, we are built for balance and we are unabashedly pro-investor.’
“Our source retorted: ‘That is complete bull[bleep] . . . they didn’t invite a lot of people to [the meeting]. There were many staffers who were working 24/7 during the crisis who weren’t asked to attend, even Santelli, who was a big star for the network during those weeks. Why not?'”
Read more here.
