Scrutiny Surrounds CBS News and Anderson Cooper’s Report

Bari Weiss, the Editor-in-Chief at CBS News, is said to be applying a significant level of editorial review to a new segment from “60 Minutes” featuring Anderson Cooper.

This delayed piece investigates the Trump administration’s decision to accept refugees from South Africa, who claim they are victims of “white genocide,” as reported by Status.

Michael Gabuchon, a seasoned producer at “60 Minutes,” is reportedly outraged due to the extensive editorial feedback provided by Weiss, an approach that some insiders have described as “extraordinary.”

According to Status, Weiss’s hands-on style at “60 Minutes,” which has traditionally enjoyed a degree of editorial independence over the years, has caused discomfort and discontent among the staff.

It’s unclear when or if Cooper’s segment will air, as noted by Status.

Interestingly, Weiss had previously shown a keen interest in Cooper. She later assigned the “CBS Evening News” anchor role to Tony Dokoupil instead of him.

Dokoupil’s initial week in the anchor position has faced challenges, marked by an on-air teleprompter error and an emotional segment in Miami where he discussed his childhood. This occurred despite a brief uptick in viewer ratings thanks to the high-profile return of the show.

Weiss’s scrutiny of Cooper’s segment coincides with his previous decision to cancel another “60 Minutes” investigation by Sharyn Alfonsi, which looked into the conditions at El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison, where immigrants deported by the Trump administration are being held.

This cancellation caused a stir within CBS News, leading to accusations of political bias.

Alfonsi’s story had already passed through legal and standards checks before being shelved, whereas Cooper’s segment has not yet gone through similar scrutiny, according to Status.

Unlike Alfonsi’s piece, CBS News has not confirmed plans to air Cooper’s report.

On Tuesday, “60 Minutes” staff gathered to discuss Alfonsi’s postponed segment, initially scheduled for December 21, which was pulled due to a lack of official comments from Trump officials.

The team considered potential adjustments to win Weiss’s approval but did not reach any conclusions, as reported by Status.

There’s hope within the news team that Alfonsi’s segment might air by January 18, though Status warns it could remain in limbo for an extended period.

Weiss has not met directly with Alfonsi or the “60 Minutes” team since she intervened, opting instead to communicate through senior editors.

David Ellison, CEO of Skydance Media, who now oversees CBS News post-merger, personally chose Weiss to lead the newsroom as part of efforts to reform its editorial culture.

Ellison has publicly stated that traditional news outlets have lost public trust, indicating a desire to steer CBS News towards a less ideologically rigid and more independent approach, which seems to align with Weiss’s contentious hiring.

Weiss, who previously worked as an opinion editor at The New York Times and founded Free Press, was appointed editor-in-chief in October, a move that surprised many long-term CBS News staffers given her lack of broadcast journalism experience.

Since her appointment, her direct involvement in sensitive reporting decisions and her management style have sparked unrest and scrutiny both internally and externally.

While employees have voiced concerns about morale and uncertainty regarding editorial standards, as well as perceived political influences in reporting on the Trump administration, Ellison continues to support the turmoil, viewing it as a necessary change for the newsroom’s future.

The Post has sought comments from CBS News regarding these developments.