BREAKING: CBS News head Bari Weiss is facing intense backlash after she abruptly canceled a critical “60 Minutes” report on the treatment of migrants detained by ICE and transferred to El Salvador’s CECOT prison facility. The report, which was set to air hours before its scheduled broadcast, had already received multiple approvals from the network’s legal team.
JUST IN: Weiss justified her decision by claiming the report lacked a response from the Trump administration. However, reporter Sharyn Alfonsi, who oversaw the segment, revealed that a response was requested but not provided. This led to widespread criticism of Weiss’s decision to spike the story, raising significant questions about editorial integrity at CBS News.
In an email to colleagues, Alfonsi expressed her frustration, stating, “Government silence is a statement, not a VETO. 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.”
Faced with mounting criticism, Weiss responded during a staff conference call on Monday morning, reportedly saying, “The only newsroom that I’m interested in running is one where we are able to have contentious disagreements about the thorniest of editorial matters, and do so with respect.” According to The Independent, Weiss elaborated, “I held that story because it wasn’t ready. The story presented very powerful testimony of abuse in CECOT, but that testimony has already been reported…”
She emphasized the importance of obtaining on-the-record responses, stating, “Our viewers come first, not a listing schedule or anything else. And that is my North Star.”
This controversy highlights ongoing tensions within CBS News regarding editorial decisions and the balance between journalistic integrity and political pressures. As scrutiny mounts, all eyes are on Weiss and CBS News, questioning their commitment to unbiased reporting.
WHAT’S NEXT: As this story develops, CBS News may face further scrutiny from both journalists and the public. The implications of Weiss’s decision could have lasting effects on the network’s credibility and its relationship with key sources.
Stay tuned for updates as CBS News navigates this escalating internal conflict.
