CNET Reviews Editor Confirms CBS Corporate Interference

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CNET’s reviews editor Lindsey Turrentine published a statement Monday early evening explaining from her perspective the ongoing editorial scandal engulfing the website and its corporate parent CBS. In the account, Turrentine apologizes to readers and explains how CBS ordered CNET to remove from its Consumer Electronics Show (CES) awards consideration the “Hopper with Sling” DVR device by DISH, with whom CBS is locked in a lawsuit, after CNET staffers had already voted it the best in show. Turrentine’s statement largely verifies an early report on the timeline of events from rival tech site The Verge. As Turrentine wrote in part:

If I had to face this dilemma again, I would not quit. I stand by my team and the years of work they have put into making CNET what it is. But I wish I could have overridden the decision not to reveal that Dish had won the vote in the trailer. For that I apologize to my staff and to CNET readers.

 

The one thing I want to clearly communicate to my team and to everyone at CNET and beyond is this: CNET does excellent work. Its family of writers is unbiased, focused, bright, and true. CNET will continue to do excellent good work. Of that I am certain. Going forward, I will do everything within my power to prevent this situation from happening again.

Read the full statement at CNET

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