CBS News is facing challenges securing guests willing to criticize Donald Trump, particularly under the new leadership of Bari Weiss. A recent “60 Minutes” episode on Trump’s pardon of Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, highlighted this issue, as numerous individuals involved declined on-camera interviews due to fear of retribution. Former Justice Department officials, like Elizabeth Oyer, expressed concern over the use of presidential pardons, while CBS News faced criticism for its new editorial direction and a Trump-friendly CEO. This follows the controversial appointment of conservative commentator Bari Weiss and a recent interview with Trump.
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Ofcom has ruled the BBC committed a “serious breach” of broadcasting rules by failing to disclose the narrator of a Gaza documentary was the son of a Hamas official, deeming the program “materially misleading”. The investigation found the omission of the narrator’s familial connection to Hamas deprived the audience of crucial information that could have altered their assessment of the provided information. As a result, the BBC has been ordered to broadcast a prime-time statement about the findings. The regulator determined the BBC held editorial responsibility, despite the independent production company’s role.
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The New York Times amended its reporting on the death of a Gazan child, Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq, clarifying the child’s pre-existing medical condition. The initial coverage failed to mention that al-Matouq suffered from cerebral palsy, a detail the newspaper subsequently added after receiving information from the hospital that treated him. This addition aimed to provide a more complete understanding of the child’s health situation and the circumstances surrounding his death. The revised story now reflects a more nuanced account.
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Veteran ABC News correspondent Terry Moran’s contract was not renewed following a social media post criticizing Donald Trump and Stephen Miller. The network cited the post as a violation of its objectivity standards, leading to the decision not to renew his expiring contract. This action followed immediate suspension and public pressure from the Trump administration. Moran’s commentary, though swiftly deleted, drew strong reactions along partisan lines.
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Scott Pelley, in a “60 Minutes” broadcast, criticized Paramount’s increased content oversight, linking it to the company’s pursuit of a merger requiring Trump administration approval. This oversight, Pelley explained, prompted executive producer Bill Owens’ resignation, as Owens felt it compromised the show’s journalistic independence. Pelley defended Owens’ actions, highlighting his commitment to accurate and fair reporting, even on controversial topics like the Trump administration and the Israel-Gaza conflict. The situation underscores concerns about potential interference in editorial decisions driven by business considerations.
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Bill Owens, executive producer of “60 Minutes,” resigned, citing interference with his editorial independence. This follows a $20 billion lawsuit filed by Donald Trump, alleging deceptive editing in a Kamala Harris interview, a claim CBS denies. Jake Tapper connected Owens’s resignation to Shari Redstone’s potential sale of Paramount to Skydance Media, suggesting Redstone might settle the lawsuit to appease Trump and secure FCC approval. Legal experts deem Trump’s lawsuit meritless, yet its timing and potential implications for the sale remain highly suspect.
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Bill Owens resigned as executive producer of 60 Minutes, citing an inability to maintain independent decision-making amid pressure from Donald Trump’s attacks and a lawsuit against CBS. This decision follows Trump’s targeting of the show and ongoing settlement talks, fueled by concerns about jeopardizing Paramount Global’s merger with Skydance. Owens’ departure comes amidst staff anxiety and fears of compromising journalistic integrity, with some viewing the situation as a retreat from First Amendment principles. CBS News leadership expressed gratitude for Owens’ contributions, affirming their commitment to 60 Minutes’ mission.
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HuffPost remains committed to delivering unbiased, free news in a climate of increasing political influence and paywalled content. Unlike many news outlets, HuffPost refuses to compromise its journalistic integrity. Support from readers is crucial to maintaining this commitment and ensuring continued access to ad-free content for qualifying contributors. Contributions directly enable HuffPost’s mission to provide fair and fearless reporting during this pivotal time.
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Right-wing influencer Tim Pool, who received payments from a Russian-funded media company, Tenet Media, to promote Kremlin narratives, has been granted access to the White House press pool. This decision follows the White House’s removal of the D.C. press corps’ authority to select pool members, opening the door to pro-administration figures while simultaneously barring the Associated Press. Pool’s inclusion, despite allegations of unknowingly participating in a Russian propaganda scheme, raises concerns about journalistic integrity and access to the President. The AP, excluded for refusing to comply with White House demands, now faces limited access, relying on less experienced reporters and potentially biased influencers for coverage.
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HuffPost remains committed to delivering unbiased, free news despite increasing political pressure and industry trends toward paywalls. Unlike many news outlets, HuffPost refuses to compromise its journalistic integrity. Support from readers is crucial to maintaining this commitment to fearless reporting and providing an ad-free experience for contributors. By contributing, readers directly enable HuffPost’s continued operation as an independent and unfiltered news source.
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John Q. Hosedrinker