These days, we all know that journalists have turned into activists and don’t even bother to hide how they’re actively working to pressure corporations to censor or take a political stance. But it doesn’t change how shocking it is to continue to see it.
In a recent interview, a CNN anchor seemed to forget CNN journalists should be impartial by pressuring Lyft’s CEO to boycott states that have passed “restrictive” voting laws.
CNN’s Poppy Harlow, repeatedly pressured Lyft CEO John Zimmer to publicly oppose election security laws by withdrawing the services of his company in states that have passed them.
Watch this clip compiled by Newsbusters:
“But you oppose boycotts, which is interesting given the discussion now. So I think the question then becomes, look, if you just look at Georgia, Texas, Arizona, for example, you guys operate in 101 cities in those states. That’s about 15% of your total market. What are you going to do to fight laws on the cusp of passing in those states and others?” Harlow asked Zimmer, following up with a direct suggestion of boycotting.
“Is it, is it all you can do?” she continued. “I mean, that’s really the question now. Is there more you can actually do? Like would you consider pulling out of the city?”
Zimmer pointed out that pulling out of the states with the election security laws would harm Lyft workers and customers. But his response did not deter Harlow from continuing to press the issue, asserting that company CEOs have a responsibility to intervene in political issues.
“This really, I think, brings up the fundamental question for you and every other president and CEO of a company out there, which is what’s the role of the CEO going forward?” she continued. “Is it now your job as the head of a public company to use your power and your money to decide and push what you think is best for people, even outside of your core business?”
Zimmer did agree that company bosses can use their platforms to intervene in politics. But according to Harlow, companies are not doing enough:
“I wonder if you think using your voice louder and more CEOs speaking out sooner about this law in Georgia as it was making its way through the state legislature, or as Texas, if that would have made a difference? Some are looking now and saying, why weren’t you guys screaming at the top of your lungs a month ago?”
