CBS News was accused of “serious and intentional distortion of news” in a formal complaint filed by the U.S. Rights Center with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Wednesday.
CBS News has come under fire in recent days for airing two different answers to the same question during last week's “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. Bill Whitaker questioned why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked Harris when footage of Harris serving a long “word salad” on CBS's “Face the Nation” was aired to promote the “60 Minutes” sit-in. Harris was ridiculed by conservatives when she asked if she looked like that. They didn't listen to America.
However, the vice president's lengthy answer did not make the version that aired on “60 Minutes” Monday night, instead a shorter, more focused answer to the same question.
CBS' “60 Minutes'' will air Vice President Harris' two different answers to the same question
Bill Whitaker interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris on an episode of “60 Minutes” that aired last Monday night. (Screenshot/CBS News)
The American Rights Center, also known as CAR, argued that the discrepancy “constitutes intentional news distortion and violates FCC rules governing broadcasters' public interest obligations.”
The complaint asks that CBS release the unedited transcript of the interview to set the record straight, echoing calls by former President Trump and many others.
“This is not just about one interview or one network,” CAR Chairman Daniel Sua said in a statement.
“This is about the public's trust in the media on important issues of national security and international relations in one of the most consequential elections of modern times,” Suhr continued. “When broadcasters manipulate interviews and distort reality, they undermine democracy itself. The FCC must act quickly to restore public trust in the news media.”
CBS News is thrown into turmoil as multiple controversies erupt on the network
The American Rights Center, also known as CAR, argued that the discrepancy “constitutes intentional news distortion and violates FCC rules governing broadcasters' public interest obligations.” (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin, File)
The complaint, obtained by Fox News Digital, cites longstanding FCC precedent that says stations “may not intentionally falsify or suppress news stories” and urges the FCC to “release the full transcript to CBS. “Instruct them to do so.”
“CBS' past refusal to release records of similar interviews in the past further heightens the need for the Commission's action,” the complaint states.
CBS News asked about CAR's complaint but did not immediately receive a response.
The ordeal began when CBS teased an interview with Harris on “Face the Nation” earlier this month.
“Bill, as a result of the work that we did, many Israeli movements were born in the region. These movements, including our advocacy for what needs to happen in the region, was very much prompted by or as a result of that,” Harris responded to Whitaker in the “Face the Nation” version.
Pressure mounts on CBS News to release full Kamala Harris interview
Harris' campaign has distanced itself from the controversy. (AP/Jacqueline Martin)
When CBS aired the interview the next night, it gave a different answer to the exact same question.
“We're not going to stop pursuing what it takes to clarify where the United States stands on the need to end this war,” Harris said.
The Harris campaign distanced itself from the idea that it had asked for an exchange of answers and sent questions to CBS.
CBS News has not provided an explanation on the record and has not responded to requests to release the unedited video.
The American Rights Center describes itself as a “nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting Americans' most fundamental constitutional rights.” Website.
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