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PEOPLE/ARTS Friday 16 June 2017

CNN’s chief Zucker lays blame on Trump for threats

By DAVID BAUDER election victory. Journalists said it is con-
AP Television Writer “This is what happens when cerned that public criticism
NEW YORK (AP) — CNN you try to delegitimize an and attacks have “creat-
chief Jeff Zucker says the institution that is trying to ed a threatening environ-
level of threats faced by do its job,” Zucker said on ment for journalists,” said
his journalists is more serious Thursday. Carlos Lauria, CPJ’s senior
than people realize and he “It is shameful on the part program coordinator for
lays the blame squarely at of the administration and the Americas.
the feet of President Don- other politicians to cause The organization is in the
ald Trump and other politi- a frenzy against something process of documenting
cians he says try to delegiti- that is guaranteed in the incidents in the U.S., he
mize the press. Constitution of the United said.
Zucker called it “uncon- States. CNN and Trump have had
scionable and dangerous It does a disservice to this a complicated relation-
and they should know bet- country and its position ship; the network was criti-
ter.” in the world and allows a cized in the early stages of
CNN has frequently been heightened sense of rheto- last year’s campaign for In this May 17, 2017 file photo, CNN president Jeff Zucker attends
the target of Trump’s com- ric against journalists and giving Trump too much air- the Turner Network 2017 Upfront presentation at The Theater at
Madison Square Garden in New York.
plaints about “fake news.” media organizations.” time, and the network still Associated Press
Anti-CNN chants were The White House did not gets heat for some of the
heard from the audience immediately respond to a pro-Trump commentators Zucker and Trump have a ken with Trump since he
at some of Trump’s cam- request for comment. it employs, like Jeffrey Lord. personal history, too. He became president.
paign rallies last year. Zucker, president of CNN Zucker has consistently de- was head of NBC Universal Meanwhile, he notes that
It didn’t involve CNN, but Worldwide, said he was fended the importance of when Trump became one CNN has yet to score a sit-
recently elected Mon- reluctant to talk publicly having people on the air of NBC’s biggest stars on down interview with the
tana congressman Greg about the concerns but who reflect Trump’s point “The Apprentice.” president and said he’s will-
Gianforte pleaded guilty that “we’ve been dealing of view. Zucker said he hasn’t spo- ing to do so at any time. q
to body-slamming a news- with this in a very real and
paper reporter who had heightened way over the
asked him a question the last 18 months.”
night before his special The Committee to Protect
Ben Stiller reunites

‘Dodgeball’ cast for

charity fundraiser

In this June 14, 2004, file photo, Ben Stiller waves to fans outside
the premiere of “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story,” in Los An-
geles.
Associated Press
By The Associated Press premiere.
Ben Stiller has brought Vaughn returns as Stiller’s
Vince Vaughn and the rest nemesis. Also appearing is
of the cast of his 2004 film, Stiller’s wife, actress Chris-
“Dodgeball,” back togeth- tine Taylor. Taylor and Stiller
er for a charity fundraiser. recently announced their
Stiller reprises his role as separation after 17 years
White Goodman, the uber- of marriage.In the clip, Still-
intense leader of a dodge- er’s Goodman laments the
ball team named the Pur- changes in society since
ple Cobras, in a four-minute 2004, saying “everyone is
film released 13 years to so P.C. now, even old-fash-
the day of “Dodgeball’s” ioned bullying is out.”q