CBS News is in disarray, facing multiple controversies irking everyone from former President Trump and his supporters to pro-Israel viewers and media professionals in the process.
CBS first sparked confusion by airing two different answers to the same question about Israel in its “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, replacing a clip from the Democratic nominee that aired on “Face the Nation” Sunday when the interview package aired in a primetime special on Monday. That same day, CBS News anchor Tony Dokoupil was shamed by colleagues for being too tough on a pro-Palestinian author during an interview that reportedly didn’t sit well with the network’s Race and Culture unit.
The two issues have resulted in negative attention for the network, but Fox News contributor Joe Concha feels at least the editing controversy can be quietly put to bed if CBS chooses.
“It’s very simple if you’re CBS News … release the entire interview on CBSNews.com and let everybody see it from start to finish without any edits or jump cuts. Release the unedited transcript while you’re at it,” Concha told Fox News Digital.
“But, CBS only released the transcript of the edited portion of the interview,” Concha added. “Why is that? The same news division that screams about the importance of transparency is being anything but transparent here.”
Harris was mocked by conservatives when footage of her offering a lengthy “word salad” was aired by CBS on Sunday’s “Face the Nation” to promote the “60 Minutes” sit-down, when Bill Whitaker asked why it seemed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wasn’t listening to the United States. However, the vice president’s lengthy answer didn’t make the version that aired on Monday night on “60 Minutes” and a shorter, more focused answer to the same question was shown instead. It appeared to be two different parts of one lengthy Harris response.