Former CBS News staffers are reportedly calling on the network to launch an outside investigation into the ongoing “60 Minutes” editing controversy.
CBS News is under fire after airing edited footage of Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday's prime-time election special “60 Minutes.” The footage differed from the widely reported preview of her unflattering exchange with veteran correspondent Bill Whitaker. It was panned by critics.
“I think there needs to be an outside investigation,'' says former CBS News reporter. told the New York Post on Thursday.
“Obviously, there's a problem here. If they cared about journalistic integrity, they would either conduct an investigation or release the entire record,” the former CBS journalist added.
CBS' “60 Minutes'' will air Vice President Harris' two different answers to the same question
After airing a preview clip of Democrats' unflattering comments, “60 Minutes'' aired an edited version of correspondent Bill Whitaker's exchange with Vice President Kamala Harris during a prime-time election special. (Screenshot/CBS News)
“Their credibility and impartiality are being questioned,” another official told the Post. “Don’t we need a thorough review of what went wrong?”
CBS officials indicated the network would bring back former executive director of standards and practices Al Ortiz to conduct an external review, the Post reported. Mr. Ortiz retired in 2012 after 43 years with CBS.
CBS News did not immediately respond to FOX News Digital's request for comment.
President Trump calls for CBS to revoke broadcast license amid '60 Minutes' controversy: 'Unprecedented scandal!'
Former CBS staffers are calling on the network to launch an outside investigation into the “60 Minutes'' controversy, according to the New York Post. (Getty Images)
The controversy stems from an exchange Harris had with Whitaker about the Biden administration's relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, one of which was answered on Sunday's “Face the Nation.” One preview clip was released on Monday, and the other was announced on Monday's prime time special.
Harris was ridiculed by conservatives on Sunday for offering a lengthy “word salad” when asked why Netanyahu doesn't seem to be listening to the United States. Instead, a different, shorter, and more focused answer to the same question appeared.
Harris' 'word salad' answer on Israel alliance baffles social media users: 'Someone please translate for me'
“Bill, as a result of the work that we have done, many Israeli movements in the region have emerged, including our advocacy for what needs to happen in the region. It was very much prompted by or the result of a number of things,” Harris responded on Sunday’s edition of “Face the Nation.”
Interviews are sometimes edited to save time, but when CBS aired the interview Monday night, it showed Harris giving different answers to the same questions.
Harris instead said, “We're not going to stop pursuing what it takes to clarify where the United States stands on the need to end this war.”
Former President Trump accused CBS News of an “unprecedented scandal” and called for the station's broadcasting license to be revoked. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, Screenshot/CBS News)
Critics have accused CBS News of aiding Harris' campaign by organizing her shoddy answers for the network's prime-time viewers.
Former President Trump has slammed CBS News and called for its license to be revoked over what he declared “the biggest scandal in the history of broadcasting.”
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President Trump: 'Big fake news fraud by CBS and 60 Minutes' wrote Truth Social on Thursday.. “Her real answer was crazy or stupid, so they replaced it with another answer to actually save her, or at least make her look better. It's a fake news scam and , which is completely illegal.”
“Take away the CBS license,” he continued. “Election interference. She's an idiot and the fake news media is trying to hide that fact. An unprecedented scandal!!! Democrats let this happen so they'll have no choice but to concede the election? Amazing! ”
of harris campaign Insisting that it had nothing to do with editing, an aide told Fox News Digital, “We do not control CBS' production decisions and we defer questions to CBS.”
