Report: CNBC directed to tone down Obama criticism

On-air personalities at CNBC have been directed to tone down their criticism of President Obama, according to a report.

General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt and NBC President Jeff Zucker met recently with CNBC executives to discuss the business news channel’s perceived conservative bent, according to the New York Post.

Two network personalities in particular, Rick Santelli and Jim Cramer, had drawn attention for their outspoken criticism of some of the Obama administration’s policies. Santelli’s call for new “tea parties” set off a grassroots groundswell amongst conservatives leading to this past week’s tax day protests.

A spokesman for CNBC denied to the Post that the meeting was to discuss the network’s politics.

“The dinner was to thank CNBC for a job well done in our in-depth reporting throughout the financial crisis,” spokesman Brian Steel said. “As far as our coverage is concerned, we are built for balance and we are unabashedly pro-investor.”