CBS News has removed a segment from its program “60 Minutes” that focused on the Trump administration’s deportation of Venezuelan immigrants to a prison in El Salvador. This decision has raised questions among staff and media observers regarding the potential political motivations behind it.
The segment, titled “Inside CECOT,” was originally scheduled to air on October 29, 2023. CBS announced via social media around 16:30 ET that it would not be included in that evening’s broadcast but would be rescheduled for a later date.
In an email to colleagues, correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi expressed her discontent, alleging that the new CBS editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, had “spiked our story” after officials from the Trump administration declined to participate in an interview. Alfonsi noted that the segment had undergone rigorous internal checks, having been screened five times and approved by CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices.
She stated, “Our story is factually correct. In my view, pulling it now, after every rigorous internal check has been met, is not an editorial decision; it is a political one.” Alfonsi further warned that if the administration’s refusal to engage becomes a valid reason to withdraw a story, it could set a troubling precedent, giving officials a “kill switch” for reporting on matters they find inconvenient.
In response to these claims, Weiss released a statement to the New York Times, asserting that her responsibility is to ensure the quality of all published stories. She explained, “Holding stories that aren’t ready for whatever reason—whether they lack sufficient context or critical voices—happens every day in every newsroom. I look forward to airing this important piece when it’s ready.”
Representatives from CBS, “60 Minutes,” and the White House did not respond immediately to inquiries regarding Alfonsi’s remarks. However, a source familiar with the matter disputed reports suggesting that the segment was pulled due to the Trump administration’s lack of comment, stating that additional reporting was necessary and that reporters had indeed approached the administration for input.
This controversy follows a significant upheaval at CBS News under its new ownership by Paramount Skydance, which acquired The Free Press, a digital media outlet founded by Weiss, earlier in October. Weiss was appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News and reports directly to Paramount Skydance’s chair and CEO, David Ellison, rather than the president of CBS News.
The situation has drawn attention to the evolving dynamics at CBS and raises broader questions about editorial independence in the current media landscape, especially as the company navigates its involvement in the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
As the public awaits the rescheduled airing of the segment, the implications of this decision continue to unfold, with many keenly observing how it may affect CBS’s journalistic integrity moving forward.
