CBS News delayed the broadcast of a “60 Minutes” report, “Inside CECOT,” focusing on deportees sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison under the Trump administration, while it aired in Canada. The report includes interviews with deportees who described torture and abuse at the CECOT facility, where they were incarcerated after being deported from the U.S. The segment also featured a clip of President Trump praising the prison facilities in El Salvador, alongside Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s visit to the facility. The decision to delay the broadcast in the U.S. has been criticized by the reporter, Sharyn Alfonsi, and others, who accused the network of political motivations, despite the segment receiving internal clearance.
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A scheduled “60 Minutes” segment on El Salvador’s CECOT prison, featuring interviews with deported prisoners, was pulled from its broadcast. This decision follows Paramount Skydance’s appointment of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News, which has drawn criticism regarding potential bias. The segment, focusing on the Trump administration’s deportation of migrants to CECOT, a prison known for alleged torture, had a teaser released before being removed along with a notice that the report would be released at a later date. This has sparked accusations of censorship and prompted discussions about the network’s editorial direction, with many commentators speculating on the reasons for the delay.
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A controversial “60 Minutes” segment on the El Salvador megaprison CECOT, which housed immigrants deported by the Trump administration, was abruptly pulled from the broadcast. An email from correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi alleges that the new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, made the decision, calling it a political move. The story had already passed legal and editorial checks and was ready to air, but Weiss reportedly cited a need for additional reporting, specifically an interview with Stephen Miller. The cancellation has sparked accusations of corporate censorship and a betrayal of journalistic principles, especially since the story was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices.
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CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss pulled a planned “60 Minutes” investigative segment on allegations of abuse at an El Salvador detention center, citing the need for an on-the-record comment from an administration official. The story’s correspondent, Sharyn Alfonsi, condemned the decision, believing it was politically motivated and not an editorial one. Weiss defended her decision, stating the story didn’t “advance the ball” beyond what other news outlets had already reported. This occurred shortly after Weiss’s arrival at the network, which has drawn scrutiny due to her background and the network’s shift towards more conservative viewpoints.
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A scheduled 60 Minutes segment investigating the CECOT megaprison in El Salvador, which houses deportees, was abruptly pulled from the broadcast lineup. According to a CBS News spokesperson, the episode required additional reporting, while sources claim it had already been thoroughly vetted. Reports suggest the delay may be due to the need for comment from White House officials or concerns from CBS News’ chief editor. The episode’s investigation found that many of the deported men had no criminal record. This cancellation follows comments from Trump regarding the new CBS ownership, as well as a history of conflict between Trump and the news program.
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Nicaragua has implemented a ban on international visitors bringing Bibles, newspapers, and cameras into the country. This policy, confirmed by a regional bus company, is part of a broader trend of increasing authoritarianism and repression by the Nicaraguan government, which has led to the country’s rise on the Open Doors persecution watchlist. The ban, in place for at least six months, coincides with the government’s crackdown on civil society, including shutting down over 1,300 faith-based organizations since 2018 protests. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has condemned the ban, urging the Nicaraguan government to lift it and calling on the international community to support independent voices.
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The Environmental Protection Agency has recently removed all mentions of fossil fuels, the primary driver of global warming, from its online page explaining climate change causes. This change now solely emphasizes natural phenomena, despite scientific consensus attributing nearly all warming to human activity. Several scientists and former EPA officials have criticized this alteration as misleading and detrimental to public understanding. Furthermore, links related to climate change impacts and risks on the EPA website are now broken. This action follows the removal of the national climate assessment earlier this year, raising concerns about the government’s transparency regarding climate change information.
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The State Department is instructing staff to deny visa applications to individuals involved in fact-checking, content moderation, and related activities, citing concerns about “censorship” of American speech. This directive targets H-1B visa applicants, particularly those in the tech sector, and instructs consular officers to scrutinize their work histories for activities combating misinformation or managing online content. The policy stems from the Trump administration’s criticism of tech companies and their efforts to regulate online content, with the administration claiming censorship of Americans. First Amendment experts are criticizing this guidance as a potential violation of free speech rights.
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This week, several major news outlets have been denied access to Pentagon briefings, which are instead being held for media organizations approved by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The move comes as investigations are underway regarding U.S. military strikes. These new briefings are part of a special orientation event for a new Pentagon press corps primarily comprised of conservative outlets that agreed to new operational rules. Many mainstream outlets left the Pentagon in the fall after refusing to agree to the new rules.
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John Q. Hosedrinker