CBS is poised to release a controversial report about Donald Trump amid accusations that political stories were being ‘managed’.
Scott Pelley, host of the longstanding program 60 Minutes, recently criticized CBS News’ parent company, Paramount, suggesting there was an agreement with the White House influencing coverage.
Last month, Pelley surprised viewers when his criticisms of his superiors were broadcast. He claimed that the team working on 60 Minutes has been scrutinized for their coverage, particularly regarding reports about Donald Trump and the current administration.
With over 30 years at CBS News, Pelley emphasized that the show’s stories have historically been ‘controversial’ but maintained ‘accuracy and fairness’ under former executive producer Bill Owens.
Owens had resigned from his position a week earlier.
“But our parent company Paramount is trying to complete a merger, the Trump administration must approve it,” Pelley continued, indicating that Paramount ‘started to oversee our content’ to such an extent that Owens ‘felt he lost the independence that honest journalism requires’.
He noted that while no stories were outright blocked, he expressed admiration for his former leader.
“He covered the world, covered combat, the White House, his was a quest to open minds, not close them,” Pelley stated.
“No one here is happy about it but in resigning Bill proved one thing, he was the right person to lead 60 Minutes all along.”
This comes after Trump previously condemned the show, calling it a ‘dishonest Political Operative simply disguised as ‘News’’ on Truth Social.
In response, Trump has initiated a $20 billion lawsuit against CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global, claiming election interference regarding a 60 Minutes interview last year with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
The lawsuit argues that the producers of the show edited the October interview to influence public opinion in favor of the Democrats.
The program is now preparing to release a major report tonight (Sunday May 4) titled ‘The Rule of the Law.’
The segment is expected to delve into Trump’s extensive use of executive orders against law firms.
The description states: “On the campaign trail, President Trump vowed to wield the power of the presidency to go after his perceived enemies.
“Now in the White House, Trump is using executive orders to target some of the biggest law firms in the country that he accuses of ‘weaponizing’ the justice system against him.”
The broadcaster is under investigation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) concerning whether the Harris interview violated ‘news distortion’ regulations.
Complaints include suggestions that CBS selectively edited Harris’ responses regarding Middle East policy.
The FCC is also reviewing complaints about ABC News moderating the pre-election debate between Joe Biden and Trump and has reopened complaints against NBC for allowing Harris to appear on Saturday Night Live prior to the election.
In Owens’ resignation letter, he referenced corporate interference and mentioned he was not ‘permitted’ to manage the show ‘as I have always run it’, according to the Daily Mail.