(WASHINGTON)— The decision by Bari Weiss, the new CBS News editor in chief, to pull a “60 Minutes” segment on the deportation of Venezuelan migrants—reportedly because the Trump administration refused to be interviewed— represents an abandonment of “central principles of press freedom and independent news gathering“ and also of the very principles Weiss herself outlined when she took over, PEN America said today.
“CBS journalists, among the best in this country, appropriately made an outreach effort to get the government to weigh in on a deeply reported story out of El Salvador. Pulling it back at the last minute because the government chose not to respond is an insult not only to the integrity of the journalists but to core principles of independent news gathering,” said Tim Richardson, journalism and disinformation program director at PEN America. “Journalism can’t function if those under scrutiny are allowed to avoid accountability simply by refusing to engage. We only hope the story runs without tampering as soon as possible, if not this coming Sunday.”
There is little precedent for this level of interference by a senior executive of CBS News in the editorial process of “60 Minutes.”
“60 Minutes” correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi wrote to staffers in an internal memo: “If the administration’s refusal to participate becomes a valid reason to spike a story, we have effectively handed them a ‘kill switch’ for any reporting they find inconvenient.” Alfonsi indicated to CBS staff members that the decision to pull the fully-vetted segment scheduled for Sunday night came from Bari Weiss, who defended her decision saying the segment “wasn’t ready.”
Weiss was recently named to the position after CBS owner Paramount Skydance bought her news and opinion website, The Free Press. After her appointment she laid out 10 principles that she would uphold, which included “journalism that is fair, fearless and factual.”
Paramount is seeking a hostile takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, a move that would require government approval.
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], 201-247-5057