60 Minutes Airs Segment That Was Abruptly Pulled Last Month

On Sunday, 60 Minutes aired a story about deportations under President Trump’s administration that had been pulled from the newsmagazine’s lineup a month ago, according to the AP. The segment’s removal had sparked an internal dispute at CBS News over political pressure.

Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi’s report focused on deportees sent to El Salvador’s notoriously harsh CECOT prison. The story made no reference to her disagreement with CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. The segment had been removed from the Dec. 21 broadcast at Weiss’ direction. Alfonsi told colleagues the decision “was not an editorial decision, it was a political one,” noting that Weiss believed the story did not adequately present the administration’s perspective or provide new reporting beyond what other news outlets had already published.

The version aired Sunday did not include on-camera interviews with Trump administration officials. However, it featured statements from the White House and Department of Homeland Security, which had not been part of Alfonsi’s original reporting. Some of these statements, published in full on the 60 Minutes website, were dated prior to Dec. 21.

“Since November, 60 Minutes has made several attempts to interview key Trump administration officials on camera about our story,” Alfonsi said. “They declined our requests.” She told the AP in an email that the administration’s refusal to participate in on-camera interviews was a tactical move intended to undermine the story.

CBS News said in a statement, “Leadership has always been committed to airing the 60 Minutes CECOT piece as soon as it was ready. Tonight, viewers get to see it, along with other important stories, all of which reflect CBS News’ independence and the power of our storytelling.”

Original Source