Howard Kurtz Scolds CNN For Omitting Spitzer From Sex Scandal Report

As NewsBusters previously reported, CNN on Monday did a segment about recent sex scandals that conveniently ignored that of its own Eliot Spitzer.

On Sunday, "Reliable Sources" host Howard Kurtz took his network to task for this glaring omission (video follows with transcript and commentary):

HOWARD KURTZ, HOST: Just a quick hit from the "Media Monitor' this morning. It was supposed to be a look back at the major sex scandals involving politicians in recent years. But there was one glaring omission in this CNN report. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RANDI KAYE, CNN ANCHOR: CNN's Suzanne Malveaux takes a look back at some of the scandals.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Whether it's the rumored affairs of President John F. Kennedy, or the painful story of John and Elizabeth Edwards, infidelity, lies, and the inevitable apologies.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KURTZ: Others in this hall of shame included Mark Sanford, Newt Gingrich, Bill Clinton, David Vitter, Larry Craig. But there was no mention of a New York governor who resigned in disgrace three years ago after patronizing prostitutes.

I'm sorry. If you're going to do this kind of story, you have to include Eliot Spitzer, even if he does now host a primetime CNN program. Otherwise, you are airbrushing history.

CNN says the omission was decided by an individual producer and that other reporting did make mention of the Spitzer scandal.

A check of LexisNexis transcripts did identify a number of CNN reports last week that did refer to Spitzer's scandal.