NBC drops Ronna McDaniel
FOX News’ Howard Kurtz discusses the controversial appointment and firing of the former RNC chairman in the wake of the NBC scandal in a “special report.”
After last month’s debacle surrounding the hiring and firing of former Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, the dust still hasn’t settled down at NBC News, but the Comcast-owned network’s leadership, especially its top boss, César Conde remains under scrutiny.
Mr. Conde has been making headlines for apologizing to NBC staff for hiring Mr. McDaniel as an analyst after an outburst from network talent. multiple reports He has questioned whether it is best for him to remain as chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, which controls NBC News, CNBC and MSNBC starting in 2020.
But his role doesn’t end there. Mr. Conde also serves on the boards of Walmart and PepsiCo.
“I think that’s objectionable and I think it needs to be addressed,” an NBC source told FOX News Digital. “Obviously Cesar’s bosses knew about this, because everyone knew, and no one thought to do anything about it. And that’s Cesar for you. ” He’s a harmless guy who flies under that kind of radar, generally speaking…He’s young, up-and-coming, up-and-coming. Most of us realize that NBC is a stepping stone to him, right? He’s not going to be the CEO of Comcast, he’s going to be the CEO of another company like this, or a show, or a politician, or whatever. I’m thinking of becoming one. So I think the important question is, what is the accountability here? ”
NBC provides glowing coverage of Walmart and Pepsi as news chief serves on both companies’ boards
NBC officials said that while Mr. Conde may argue that his financial relationships with Walmart and Pepsi are “good deeds” for NBC’s interests, the network’s ethical questions remain.
“At some point, someone is going to sit down and say, ‘Hey, what’s up?'” the source said. “What should Cesar do? Should he resign from the board? I mean, the money he’s making on this is significant.”
The source continued: “There’s something wrong with this. The optics are wrong and it’s like someone who isn’t focused on the integrity of journalism, one of the oldest and largest journalism brands in this country. What I know about Cesar is that I understand that his boss is a businessman. [former NBCUniversal CEO] Jeff Shell is a businessman.roberts people [of Comcast] is a cable provider…we are not owned by journalists. We are not controlled by journalists. We are separate companies. ”
NBC News chief Cesar Conde is on the boards of Walmart and PepsiCo. (Getty Images)
Conde’s financial relationships with Walmart and PepsiCo have been public knowledge for years.according to Recent reporting from the Associated Press, Citing Salary.com, Conde “earned $275,018 in cash and stock from Walmart and $320,000 from PepsiCo in 2022.”
An NBCUniversal spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal in 2021 that Conde would recuse himself from any discussions involving the companies.
“Mr. Condé’s presence on the boards of these companies is clearly problematic from a journalistic ethics perspective, and the same would apply to news executives who work for companies that are the subject of news,” Depot said. says university journalism professor Jeffrey McCall. “For executives at major news organizations who are paid to sit on corporate boards, the optics look terrible. News organizations should just be completely insulated from the business side of the media world, but this is a fusion of journalism and business corporatism and should not be allowed to continue. ”
“Even though Mr. Condé plays no role in directly reporting on these two companies, it gives a bad impression on the surface,” McCall told Fox News Digital, adding that NBC staff covering Walmart and PepsiCo “gives a bad impression on the surface.” argued that Mr Condé’s additional role needed to be kept in mind.
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NBCUniversal first hired Mr. Conde in 2013, and as he rose through the ranks at Rockefeller, he joined PepsiCo’s board in 2016 and Walmart’s board in 2019. The following year, he was selected to run NBC’s entire news operations.
During his tenure as NBC news chief, NBC aired some hilarious reports about Walmart and Pepsi, according to a FOX News Digital review.
Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, which oversees NBC News, CNBC and MSNBC, has been criticized in recent days. (Getty Images)
July 2020, NBC News Reported Walmart’s decision They close on Thanksgiving Day to give bonuses to their employees. In September 2020, NBC News aired a lengthy report that said: Walmart and TikTok partnership And how the retail giant will be featured on the app. In August 2022, NBC boasted about the situation at Walmart. Expand coverage of abortion For employees. In July 2023, “NBC Nightly News” aired a report on Walmart’s efforts. benefited from AI.
In November 2023, the flagship morning show “Today” offered free airtime to its viewers. walmart black friday ad This reunited the cast of “Mean Girls” and gave viewers nearly the entire commercial.That month’s “Today” was also broadcast. A “special” behind-the-scenes look At a Walmart warehouse.
NBC has conducted multiple “exclusive” interviews with Walmart CEO John Furner, including one in February 2021. Accelerating Walmart’s COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts An article for customers and employees, and another from November 2021, claim that Walmart is a more affordable option. Inflation on the rise.
NBC News has published multiple “exclusive” interviews with Walmart CEO John Furner. (Screenshot/NBC)
NBC went to great lengths to favor Walmart compared to its direct competitors. In September 2020, the company reported how Walmart was “stepping up its e-commerce game.” Apply for delivery service Comparable to Amazon. November 2022, “Today” is Walmart pre-Black Friday sale We beat out Target, Amazon, and Best Buy for the highest billing amount.Last month, NBC proposed to Walmart Had a great subscription service That’s because Target and Amazon had “some additional features.”
And just last week, “Today” Broadcasted a positive corner He mentioned that Walmart is working to “upskill” its employees in the age of AI, and also noted that Amazon is doing the same.
NewsBusters Editor-in-Chief Curtis Houck takes a swipe at Condé’s “obsession with hobbies” and says it’s “not surprising” that NBC provided such glowing coverage.FOX News Digital told.
“This whole exercise is a reminder of what corporate news looks like, with large companies acting as spokespeople for other large companies,” Hock says. “This goes far beyond the old adage, ‘If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.'”
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PepsiCo similarly benefited from NBC’s on-air coverage. In March 2021, “Today” talked about the soda giant’s Limited Edition Peeps Flavored Pepsi. In December 2021, NBC promoted Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show App. “Today” in December 2022 is The viral “pilk” trend Inspired by a Pepsi ad where Lindsay Lohan drinks milk mixed with Pepsi. In February 2023, “Today” pepsi super bowl ad Starring Steve Martin. A few weeks later, another Pepsi ad was inserted into “Today.” Featuring Ben Stiller reprising his “Zoolander” character.
Just last month, “Today” made headlines when it heavily promoted Pepsi and aired a video of a 15-month-old baby boy. “I really wanted to try Pepsi.” Fast food chain with hype The “upside down” decision to switch to the subway From next year, Coca-Cola will become Pepsi.
NBC’s “Today” featured the so-called viral “pilk” trend inspired by a Pepsi ad featuring Lindsay Lohan in December 2022. (Screenshot/NBC)
The relationship between Pepsi and NBCUniversal appears to go far beyond the friendly coverage on “Today.” In 2021, Pepsi will Sponsor of NBCUniversal’s Upfrontan annual industry event held by networks to promote their programming to advertisers.
In 2019, Mr. Conde was chairman of NBCUniversal International Group and NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. “Pepsi Sparkling Rosé” provided by PepsiCo For the company’s “Bravocon”. In 2015, a year before Mr. Conde joined the board, Pepsi partnered with Mr. Conde’s NBCUniversal International toback to the futureHowever, there is no evidence that the two events were related.
The one from NBCUniversal is also worth noting. Announcing direct partnership with Walmart In November, Bravo viewers were able to purchase products featured in the show online while watching the Peacock streaming service.
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“This is a huge problem for NBC News and a clear conflict of interest on the part of Cesar Conde,” said media columnist and Fox News contributor Joe Concha.
Former NBC News executive vice president Bill Wheatley similarly told the AP, “This seemed like another example of NBC management not understanding the rules that newsreaders are supposed to follow.” .
Neither NBC nor parent company Comcast responded to requests for comment.
Fox News’ Brian Flood contributed to this report.
