A segment critical of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown was abruptly removed from CBS’s “60 Minutes” but mistakenly aired on the network’s app, igniting a public debate over journalistic independence.
The Controversial Segment
The story featured interviews with migrants who were sent to the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador, a prison known for harsh conditions. Two men recounted torture, beatings and abuse, while a Venezuelan described sexual abuse and solitary confinement. A college student recounted guards beating him and knocking out his tooth upon arrival, adding, “When you get there, you already know you’re in hell. You don’t need anyone to tell you,” he said.
Global Television Network and the App Error
The segment was pulled from Global Television Network, one of Canada’s largest networks, yet it continued to stream on the network’s app. Global swiftly corrected the mistake, but copies of the unauthorized footage kept circulating online before being taken down.
Paramount’s Takedown Orders
“Paramount’s content protection team is in the process of routine take down orders for the unaired and unauthorized segment,” a CBS spokesperson said Tuesday via email. The spokesperson added that the orders would remove all copies from the app and any other distribution channels.
Migrant Testimonies
The segment’s core was the testimony of the deported men. One Venezuelan detailed sexual abuse and solitary confinement; another, a college student, spoke of guards beating him and the loss of a tooth. The men’s accounts highlighted the harsh reality of CECOT and raised questions about the legality of their rapid deportation.
Expert Analysis and Human Rights Findings
Experts on the segment questioned the legal basis for the swift deportations amid pending judicial decisions. Reporters corroborated findings by Human Rights Watch, noting that only eight of the deported men had been sentenced for violent or potentially violent crimes, according to available ICE data.
Reactions and Accusations
The decision to pull a story that criticized the Trump administration drew widespread accusations that CBS leadership was shielding the president from unfavorable coverage. The controversy placed CBS News-a frequent target of Trump-back in the spotlight and amplified concerns about editorial independence.
Inside the CBS newsroom
The journalist who reported the story, Sharyn Alfonsi, emailed her fellow “60 Minutes” correspondents, stating that the piece was factually correct and had been cleared by CBS lawyers and its standards division. She emphasized that the story had undergone the usual internal review.
Bari Weiss and the Future of CBS News
CBS News chief Bari Weiss said Monday that the story did not “advance the ball” and noted that the Trump administration had refused to comment. Weiss added that she wanted a greater effort to present its point of view and expressed that she looked forward to airing Alfonsi’s piece “when it’s ready.”
Key Takeaways
- A critical Trump immigration story was pulled but still aired on a network app, sparking debate.
- Migrants recounted torture, beatings, sexual abuse, and solitary confinement at CECOT.
- Experts and Human Rights Watch highlighted limited criminal sentences among deported men.
The incident has reignited questions about CBS News’ editorial direction and its relationship with the Trump administration, underscoring the ongoing tension between journalistic integrity and political pressure.
