Scott Pelley alleges editorial pressure at CBS News to favor Trump administration

Former 60 Minutes anchor Scott Pelley said CBS News instructed its journalists to "put a thumb on the scale" in favor of the president's perspective. Speaking at a Speak Up for Justice panel on corporate influence in journalism, Pelley, who was terminated by the network in June, said the directive came from the news division and reflected corporate pressure to shape political coverage. He added that resistance to the approach resulted in the abrupt restructuring of 60 Minutes last year, without prior notice or explanation.

Pelley alleged that editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who joined CBS News a year ago after the Skydance acquisition of Paramount, has been steering the network's editorial line toward the Trump administration. Weiss previously described such claims as "the job description of an editor-in-chief" in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

The Independent sought comment from CBS News but had not received a response at the time of publication. Sources cited by other outlets offered mixed views of Weiss's leadership, with some describing her as a valuable contributor who listens to ideas, while others suggested internal dissent is discouraged.