CBS News decided to postpone the airing of a 60 Minutes report on El Salvador’s CECOT prison, just a few hours before its scheduled broadcast on Sunday. The network stated that the segment, titled ‘Inside CECOT,’ would be shown at a later date due to the need for additional reporting.
According to a note written by correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi, the segment had undergone several screenings and was approved by CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices. However, the decision to pull the report was allegedly made for “political” reasons, as revealed in the note obtained by The New York Times.
CECOT is a controversial mega-prison in El Salvador where numerous Venezuelan migrants, mostly without trial, have been detained. The facility has faced criticism from human rights organizations for its harsh treatment of inmates.
CBS is under the ownership of Paramount Skydance PSKY.O, led by David Ellison, who played a crucial role in securing regulatory approval for the acquisition of Paramount. The network is expected to reflect diverse viewpoints following the deal. Prior to this acquisition, Paramount settled a lawsuit with former President Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris.
Weiss, the current editor-in-chief of CBS News, requested significant changes to the Inside CECOT segment, including the addition of new material and interviews with White House officials. The decision to delay the report has raised concerns about potential political interference in journalism.
The network is currently undergoing transformations under Weiss’s leadership, with recent changes in anchor personnel on CBS Evening News. The decision to delay the report has sparked discussions about editorial independence and journalistic integrity within the network.