Authored by Victor Davis Hanson,
CBS’s iconic 60 Minutes has had its fair share of scandals and controversies throughout its 57-year history, with the Dan Rather scandal being one of the most notable. However, in 2024, the show has found itself in a state of disrepute like never before.
Donald Trump recently refused to participate in 60 Minutes for the traditional election-year interviews of presidential candidates. This decision came after the show’s anchor, Leslie Stahl, attacked Trump’s claim about the authenticity of the Hunter Biden laptop, which was in the FBI’s possession at the time.
Stahl falsely stated that the laptop “can’t be verified” and incorrectly attributed the story to Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani, when in fact it was reported by the New York Post. Despite the lack of verification from the FBI, social media platforms collaborated with the FBI to suppress the dissemination of the story.
The network further tarnished its reputation with selective editing in interviews with Kamala Harris, Mike Johnson, and Ta-Nehisi Coates, showcasing bias and unprofessional conduct. This pattern of behavior extended to moderators Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan during the J.D. Vance/Tim Walz vice presidential debate.
In a similar vein, the New York Times faced criticism for publishing questionable op-eds and rushing to judgment on issues like plagiarism accusations against Vice President Harris. These instances highlight a troubling trend of media outlets prioritizing partisanship over journalistic integrity.
In conclusion, the erosion of trust in once-respected media outlets has been accelerated by incompetence and partisan agendas, ultimately jeopardizing the credibility that previous generations of journalists worked tirelessly to establish.
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