A segment that was set to air on CBS News’ flagship program ’60 Minutes’ was pulled only hours before its scheduled broadcast, a move that has ignited questions about editorial independence and political influence.
The Pulled Story
The planned segment focused on Trump administration deportations of immigrants to El Salvador, featuring correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi speaking with deportees who had been sent to the country’s notorious Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, a mega-prison in Tecoluca.
The Decision Behind the Pull
The story was scheduled to air on Sunday, but CBS News’ new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, decided to pull it at the direction of the network, according to people at CBS.
Internal Checks and Clearance
Alfonsi learned on Saturday that Weiss had made the decision, and she said the story had passed all internal reviews. The piece had been cleared by CBS attorneys and news standards officials.
Alfonsi’s Statement
Alfonsi expressed her view in a statement: “In my view, pulling it now — after every rigorous internal check has been met is not an editorial decision, it is a political one.”
Weiss’s Reasoning
Weiss said the story was held because she wanted to add perspective from the Trump administration.
Background on Bari Weiss
Weiss, the founder of the Free Press website, was installed at the top of CBS News this fall when its parent company, Paramount, was bought out.
Statement to The New York Times
In a statement to The New York Times, Weiss said, “My job is to make sure that all the stories we publish are the best they can be. Holding stories that aren’t ready for whatever reason – that they lack sufficient context, say, or that they are missing critical voices – happens every day in every newsroom.” She also added that she looked forward to airing Alfonsi’s piece “when it’s ready.”
Trump’s Legal Actions
President Donald Trump has been sharply critical of ’60 Minutes’ and sued the network last fall over its interview with then-Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. The lawsuit was settled this summer.
Settlement Details
Paramount agreed to pay $16 million to settle the lawsuit, which centered on a CBS ’60 Minutes’ interview with Kamala Harris.
Increased Scrutiny on Weiss
The decision to pull the segment, announced publicly two hours before the broadcast, has increased scrutiny on Weiss and raised concerns about the influence of political considerations on editorial choices.
Recent Complaints by Trump
The move also comes after Trump recently complained about the show’s interview with former ally turned foe Marjorie Taylor Greene, adding to the tension between the network and the former president.
Key Takeaways
- A ’60 Minutes’ segment on Trump deportations was pulled hours before airing.
- The decision was made by editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who cited a need for additional context.
- The pull has intensified scrutiny of Weiss and highlighted ongoing disputes between CBS News and President Trump.
Conclusion
The incident has raised questions about editorial independence at CBS News and the influence of political considerations on story selection.
