Lo-Down and Out

Define irony: Ed Litvak is now making his living as a blogger.

For those with short memories, Ed was my former supervisor at CNN -- the executive producer of American Morning -- who fired me because in my spare time I wrote for this site. This blog.

Within in the past week, three people have sent me a link to Ed's own little internet venture -- it's a hyper-local Lower East Side-based news blog he started with his wife called "The Lo-Down" -- ostensibly so I might indulge in a little good-natured schadenfreude. For the record, Ed doesn't have to worry about whether or not he's violating CNN's draconian policy against writing online by doing what he's doing; if you'll remember, he was fired by his superiors 13 days after he fired me. Also for the record, and contrary to the devilish wishes of my friends, no, I'm not going to use this opportunity to knock my old boss. Yeah, it's an amusing twist of fate that Ed Litvak dropped out of network TV and resurfaced among the lowly blogging underclass -- but, hey, so did I, and I did it for a reason: After being unceremoniously canned, I turned my back on a really tough and toxic lifestyle in favor of doing something I love. Even though it's seemingly poetic that the guy who swung the ax is now doing essentially the same thing I was and still am -- especially after punishing me for it in the first place -- it's not like I can blame him for it.

I was always honest about Ed. He may have been a woefully inadequate manager of American Morning, but I didn't dislike him personally. On the contrary, I thought he was a decent enough guy.

So, if you happen to live on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, go ahead and give Ed's site a look.

See? I can be nice -- and now I've done my good deed for the day.

The Lo-Down: News from the Lower East Side

On Notice

Believe it or not, I'd really like to let the subject of my untimely dismissal from CNN go once and for all (Say What You Will/2.18.08). As I'm quickly learning now that my new baby is home from the hospital, there really is no sense crying over spilled milk (particularly not when the spill in question happened almost six months ago). Yet every time I promise myself that I'm done bringing up the whole CNN thing, somebody sends me an item like this: Behold, the official memo sent out to all network employees finally stating in no uncertain terms just what CNN's policy is on personal blogging.

You know, the policy they didn't have in place when they made the decision to fire me and a few others like me, and the one that I've openly criticized them for neglecting to enact and clarify?

This was e-mailed to me by someone at CNN yesterday. Enjoy it -- many Bothan spies died to bring us this information.*

***NEW CNN POLICY REGARDING PERSONAL WRITINGS ONLINE***

We’ve gotten a number of questions from CNN staff wanting clarification of CNN policy on communicating publicly about our work, or on news or public affairs -- on the internet. In Blogs. In Chatrooms. On video sharing sites. On social networking sites.

Below are some of the typical questions -- and our answers. We hope this is helpful to everyone,

After reading -- please don’t hesitate to call or email anyone at Standards and Practices if you have further questions. (See contact info below).

MOST IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:

UNLESS GIVEN PERMISSION BY CNN MANAGEMENT, CNN EMPLOYEES ARE TO AVOID TAKING PUBLIC POSITIONS ON THE ISSUES AND PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS ON WHICH WE REPORT.

The best rule of thumb is, keep in mind whether what you are doing or saying is "in public." In most cases, what you write online is public or can be made public.

CAN I COMMENT IN A CHAT ROOM?

It depends on what you’re commenting on. A chat room is, of course, a public place. If you identify yourself, or could in any way be identified, then you should not comment on anything CNN reports on. Remember, even though you don’t say who you are, someone else might reveal your identity. AND if you’re discussing things that are in the news, keep in mind you could be seen as representing CNN, and therefore you should not comment on the issues CNN covers.

HOW ABOUT MYSPACE, FACEBOOK OR OTHER SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES?

Again, on these sites only write about something CNN would not report on. Don't list preferences regarding political parties or newsmakers that are the subject of CNN reporting. Local issues that CNN wouldn’t report on would be OK. And of course private communication with friends or family about issues that aren’t in the news is fine. If you are not sure, ask your supervisor or S&P for parameters on posting. (S&P contact info is listed below).

Also keep in mind that you should not be commenting or writing about what goes on in the workplace at CNN without specific approval by CNN senior managers. For example, in some cases there have and will be exceptions made to have some staff get information out to an outside audience on platforms like Twitter about our upcoming coverage plans.

But without those approved exceptions, your workplace activity is proprietary and so you should not be writing on these sites about what goes on behind the scenes here at CNN.

CAN I POST MY WORK ON YOUTUBE, PODCASTS OR OTHER VIDEO SHARING SITES?

You should not post any CNN material online unless it is approved. Likewise, if you make a short video on your own time, if there’s any question about it being something that CNN might air, first ask someone before posting it. And again, if the subject touches on anything you might cover or CNN reports or may report on, you should likely stay away from it. If it is a close call, ask your supervisor or S&P.

CAN I POST TO iReport.com?

This site was developed specifically for non-CNN material, so no, you shouldn’t. However, a separate procedure has been developed for CNN’ers to send in material. It’s called weReport and you can see the details for how it works at http://sketch.turner.com/wereport. As always, if you capture pictures or video on news stories call the national desk and they’ll help you arrange to feed it in.

HOW ABOUT SECOND LIFE?

CNN’ers are encouraged to visit Second Life, just keep in mind it’s a public place and the same rules (listed above) apply as they would to “real” public life.

CAN I HAVE MY OWN WEBSITE OR BLOG?

Yes. But you should notify your supervisor about it, to have it cleared as a non-conflict for your work. Your supervisor may choose to then have it cleared at another level or by S&P. And again, you shouldn’t post commentary on anything you might cover in your work or CNN may report on, or write about the CNN workplace or post CNN material without permission by a senior CNN manager.

WHAT ABOUT POSTING LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES, ARTICLES FROM OTHER PUBLICATIONS AND VIDEO FROM OTHER SOURCES?

Again, if your web activity clearly shows that you are taking a position on an issue CNN reports on or is likely to report on, you should avoid such activity.

In addition, you should not operate under an alias on your website or blog in order to participate in biased public behavior. Despite your use of an alias to express a view that may present a conflict of interest, it is still your opinion. Your real identity and occupation could be revealed by someone else at any point.

WHY SHOULDN’T I COMMENT ON NEWS OR CURRENT AFFAIRS?

Unless given permission to comment publicly on the issues or people we report on as a CNN analyst or commentator, it is important that you and all other CNN employees be independent and objective regarding the news and people that we cover.

If you publicly declare your preference for issues or candidates or one side or the other of the public policy issues CNN reports on, then your ability to be viewed as objective is compromised.

We appreciate that everyone has a life outside work and we encourage all of our employees to get involved with the issues that are important within their communities. That said, you need to avoid any appearance of bias or partiality. It’s just one of the responsibilities associated with working for a news organization.

WHAT IF I DON’T WORK DIRECTLY WITH NEWS GATHERING OR NEWS REPORTING BUT ELSEWHERE WITHIN THE SUPPORTING DEPARTMENTS OF CNN?

In discussions about this issue with your colleagues across CNN, it was felt by them that it was important to have this policy apply across the board. If you don’t follow this policy, and you are officially a CNN employee, the loss of objectivity won’t just apply to you, but could be associated with CNN. Therefore this policy applies to all CNN employees in all departments worldwide.

WHAT ABOUT FREELANCE EMPLOYEES AND INTERNS?

Supervisors should make sure freelancers and interns read this policy now -- or on their first day going forward -- and commit to following it.

CAN I GIVE SPEECHES, OR WRITE ABOUT CNN?

CNN reserves the right to say who gives speeches or makes personal appearances on behalf of CNN. A number of your colleagues do give speeches to schools, colleges, and other organizations. Those requests must first be approved by your supervisor and then will go through CNN PR for review. PR will bring them to S&P for final review and approval taking into consideration who the invitation is from, the subject matter to be discussed -- and/or whether travel expenses/an honorarium are being paid. Our employees write books, and occasionally do other outside writing, but it all must be approved by your supervisor first, and then by PR and by S&P as appropriate. This policy is outlined in Section E of the Standards & Practices Policy Guide. Every employee should have a Guide and should read it and review it. (If you don't have a Guide, please ask your HR representative for one.)

Considering my own story, I love that last line -- just love it.

Speaking of which, let's recap: I publicly chastise the managers of CNN's American Morning on this site and on the Huffington Post and within two weeks the show's EP is fired, followed shortly by his second-in-command. I point out the incompetence of that same show's main copy editor and, likewise, not long after, he's sent packing. Now this: I spend six months claiming that whether they consider it a matter of common sense or not, CNN's upper-level managers must make their stance on the blogging and online networking of staff-members crystal clear (as news outlets like the New York Times have already done), and they finally cave in and do just that.

At this point, I think I can probably get away with charging CNN a consulting fee (although I suppose Jon Stewart could say the same thing about his role in getting Crossfire canceled a few years back).

Regardless, it's about goddamned time, guys. Welcome to the 21st century.

Oh, and I await your Cease & Desist order. Just be glad I edited out Rick Davis's personal phone number.

*The one and only Star Wars reference I'll ever make on this site.

You Couldn't Script It Better

A couple of weeks back, I briefly mentioned that the copy editors I last worked with on CNN's American Morning were hilariously incompetent; I believe "as sharp as a pillowcase full of wet toilet paper" were my exact words (Conscience Doth Make Crusaders/5.27.08).

Well, I've just been informed that one of them was fired a couple of days ago.

This makes the second time in recent memory -- third if you count Barb Simon, whom I never mentioned by name but who was a large part of the management team I heavily criticized -- that I've pointed out the failings of a CNN employee on this site, only to have him or her fired soon after. The first time, you may remember, was when I railed against the guy who sacked me, Ed Litvak, and saw him shown the door two weeks later (How To Lose a Job in 13 Days?/2.25.08).

Either somebody over there is listening, or the dismissals simply prove what I've been saying for some time about what's wrong with the show.

I seriously doubt that it's the former, but just in case: The real problem at CNN is that Jon Klein is still in charge and I don't have controlling interest in the company and a penthouse atop the Time Warner Center.

Oh, and an Audi R8 -- CNN needs to give me one of those too.

Gone Barby Gone

As promised, a few of the details and some thoughts on the firing of Barb Simon -- second-in-command at CNN's American Morning and one of my former supervisors.

Basically, here's what happened from what I can gather: Early last Thursday morning, Barb Simon showed up to work and was told that her services would no longer be required at CNN. Her abrupt exit was facilitated by a mercenarian, Agent Smith-like hatchet man named, ominously enough, Bart; he's a guy who was apparently brought in by CNN U.S. President and perpetual part-of-the-problem Jon Klein immediately after the firing of AM Executive Producer Ed Litvak last February (How To Lose a Job in 13 Days?/2.25.08), ostensibly to clean up the mess the show had become. Once Bart arrived on the scene following Ed's deparature, he was essentially in charge -- quietly laying down the law, keeping things in line and attempting to put the daily broadcast back on the rails. A talented senior producer named Janelle Rodriguez was culled from The Situation Room and officially named American Morning's new EP on April 16th. Basically, Barb had been a lame duck since the man who hired her and had coordinated with her in running the damn show into the ground -- Ed -- had been sent packing, and after Janelle's appointment, Barb became all but persona non grata around the office. It was always a matter of time before she was given her walking papers.

From what I hear, Janelle's doing a spectacular job, which I commend her on; I've mentioned more than a few times that I bear little in the way of ill will against most of the good folks on the CNN production staff. What actually is worth pointing out, though, is the reality behind Jon Klein's sudden call to "The Wolf" (Bart: "Okay Jon, so you've got a flagship show, minus a manager, stuck way behind Fox & Friends -- I'll take care of it."). It's classic Klein, really: Rather than do the dirty work himself, he surreptitiously brings in a lackey who can not only play Bad Cop all the way around, but who also serves to insulate him from any sort of accountability should things somehow go from bad to worse. The problem with American Morning has always been the same problem confronting the rest of the network: Klein stands over the shoulders of many of his managers, playing puppet-master, then conveniently retreats to his office to dole out pink slips when his ideas or instructions bear little -- or outright rotten -- fruit. This is largely why Ed Litvak is out of a job (although in the network's defense, he was a painfully bad manager when it came to dealing with people). As Barb served little purpose other than to back up Ed's actions -- well, that and to hack apart perfectly good scripts and salivate over any story having to do with Britney Spears -- she's now out of a job as well.

Of course, I have no doubt that they're both continuing to collect very hefty paychecks until the official end of their respective contracts. But at least the show might finally be heading in the right direction after years of mismanagement (before Ed Litvak, there was EP Kim Bondy, who was known more for the inordinate amount of time she spent on vacation and her affinity for Jimmy Choo shoes than anything else).

With Jon Klein still in charge at the top though, who the hell knows.

I'd say "stay tuned," but I'm not sure it's worth it either way.

Related:

(All About Ed/2.27.08)

(Say What You Will/2.18.08)

Gone Barby Gone

I was actually going to hold off until tomorrow to talk about this, but since the official notice has now been circulated throughout CNN I may as well put it out there (I've known about it since Saturday):

The second-in-command at CNN's American Morning, Barb Simon, was fired late last week.

You probably remember that her boss -- my former boss -- Ed Litvak was canned about two weeks after he and the network fired me for blogging (How To Lose a Job in 13 Days?/2.25.08). Essentially the entire power structure of AM -- a show I've consistently derided since my dismissal for its lack of quality -- is now history.

Guess I wasn't the only one who thought things were going to shit.

For what it's worth (nothing), I seem to be the first person mentioning this anywhere.

Details to come.