CBS chief Bari Weiss and veteran journalist Lesley Stahl dispute editorial control over Israeli settler violence report
CBS executives and 60 Minutes anchor Lesley Stahl clashed over the handling of a segment on Israeli settler violence, with the piece ultimately airing after a contentious editorial process.
CBS chief Bari Weiss and 60 Minutes veteran Lesley Stahl reportedly engaged in a heated editorial dispute over a report on Israeli settler violence that aired on Sunday. Insiders said Weiss, who is known for her strong support of Israel, repeatedly inserted herself into the review process, prompting Stahl to push back vigorously.
Weiss and managing editor Charles Forelle submitted extensive editorial notes, described by a source as “very, very hands-on,” while Stahl advocated for the segment to be broadcast as scheduled. The disagreement extended into Saturday, delaying the usual public listings for the show.
“They didn’t know if it was going to air because the screenings got so heated,” a source told Status.
CBS declined to comment on the internal conflict, but a network spokesperson said the report underwent the standard editorial review and received fewer edits than typical 60 Minutes pieces.
The incident follows previous reports of Weiss’s involvement in editorial decisions, including a December piece on a Salvadoran prison that led to criticism of partisan influence and the departure of correspondent Sharon Alfonsi.
Other CBS journalists, such as foreign correspondent Holly Williams, have also faced editorial pushback on coverage related to Israel and Gaza, according to insiders.