CBS tapped a veteran government to assist deal with “perceived bias” on the Tiffany Community and its flagship present “60 Minutes” – together with Sunday’s report on the warfare in Gaza that critics slammed for being “one-sided” towards Israel.
Susan Zirinsky, a longtime fixer throughout the community, was named government editor in a task that can have her oversee the Requirements & Practices unit, CBS CEO George Cheeks introduced late Monday.
Zirinsky, a legendary CBS producer who additionally served because the information division’s president from 2019 to 2021, will assist the community “deliver balanced, accurate, fair and timely reporting,” together with on “highly complex, sensitive issues like the war in the Middle East,” Cheeks mentioned in his memo.
“CBS News takes this responsibility seriously. While there is no way to cover such sensitive issues without provoking some degree of criticism, we have a responsibility to address those concerns,” Cheeks mentioned. “This includes feedback regarding perceived bias in some CBS News coverage.”
Her appointment comes because the community faces intense scrutiny over bias claims made by President-elect Donald Trump over allegedly enhancing a “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris to make her sound coherent — and the chance that his decide to chair the Federal Communications Fee may delay the pending merger of CBS-parent Paramount World and Skydance Media, as The Submit completely reported.
Sources near Zirinsky mentioned her new position is not going to embrace a overview on what the community has executed unsuitable however will as an alternative deal with the journalism throughout its numerous exhibits “going forward.”
CBS and Zirinsky didn’t remark.
On Monday, “60 Minutes” landed in sizzling water once more after the American Jewish Committee slammed CBS for airing a section titled “Dissent within the State Department over the US role in Israel-Hamas War.”
The advocacy group mentioned the piece that aired Sunday was “shockingly one-sided, lacked factual accuracy, and relied heavily on misguided information.”
It cited claims that Israel is obstructing help into Gaza, which has been refuted, and omitted blame of Hamas terrorists for “starting and perpetuating the war.”
It additionally relied on interviews from former officers Josh Paul and Hala Rharrit, who claimed the US has been “complicit” in serving to Israel to hold out alleged violations of worldwide regulation and saying American weapons transfers have enabled “devastation” in Gaza that the administration has ignored.
The AJC mentioned the section omitted key particulars concerning the interviewees, together with their connections to CAIR, the Muslim advocacy group whose chief, Nihad Awad, has mentioned that he was “happy to see” Hamas’ terror assaults and argued that Israel doesn’t have a “right to self-defense.”
His feedback had been denounced by The White Home as “shocking” and “antisemitic” final month.
Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO and nationwide director of the Anti-Defamation League, mentioned on X Monday that he was “outraged” CBS Information “would air such a biased and one-sided piece, villainizing Israel and berating US support for its ally.”
“‘60 Minutes’ is supposed to be the gold standard for broadcast journalism, but they completely dropped the ball last night,” Greenblatt added. “Where are the counter perspectives to those interviewed? Where is the mention of the nearly 100 hostages — including Americans — STILL in captivity!? What kind of journalism is that?”
Individuals aware of the scenario advised The Submit that CBS Information president Wendy McMahon has been looking for an government editor since December however the newest gaffe has pushed prime brass to get somebody within the position instantly.
Zirinsky, who started her profession at CBS Information in 1972, will seize the position on an interim foundation and proceed to run the community’s documentary unit, “See It Now Studios.”
The community was additionally embroiled in one other scandal in October involving “CBS Mornings” co-host Tony Dokoupil’s heated interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Dokoupil, who transformed to Judiaism, grilled Coates on whether or not his new e-book expressed antipathy towards Israel. On October 7, the anniversary of Hamas’ assault, CBS Information execs advised staffers Dokoupil’s report failed to satisfy the community’s requirements.
