CBS and the FCC on Wednesday released the unedited version of the network’s controversial “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala.
The Tiffany Network published two never-before-seen excerpts from the sit-down, which President Donald Trump has alleged was deceptively edited to help the Democratic nominee in her failed bid for the White House.
The Post reported earlier this week that FCC Chair Brendan Carr planned to put the investigation into high gear after CBS News handed over the full transcript of the Harris interview on Monday.
Carr vowed to launch a probe following a complaint by the Center for American Rights, a right-leaning activist group, which argued that the long-running television newsmagazine favorably edited the October sit-down with the 2024 Democratic Party presidential nominee.
The FCC is investigating whether CBS News exhibited political bias against Trump and the Republican Party during the 2024 election cycle.
Networks using public airwaves are subject to federal regulations requiring fairness and equal time provisions, unlike cable networks, which do not face the same constraints.
If Carr finds evidence of misleading editing, it could impact regulatory approval of the Paramount-Skydance merger, potentially leading to conditions that enforce editorial balance.
“The FCC has had a prohibition against news distortion on our books for 50 years,” Carr told The Post earlier this week.
“It applies to broadcasters but not cable. A group brought a non-frivolous complaint, so the FCC is taking the next appropriate step in adjudicating the issue.”
Carr, who was appointed by Trump to lead the agency, refused to rule out the possibility that he would seek testimony from “60 Minutes” producers and correspondent Bill Whitaker, who conducted the Harris interview, people close to the matter told the Post.
Critics argue CBS News has shifted from its once-neutral stance, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 election. Some point to the network’s aggressive fact-checking of Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, during the vice presidential debate and the internal pushback against “CBS Mornings” anchor Tony Dokoupil after his pointed questioning of writer Ta-Nehisi Coates regarding Israel’s response to the October 7 Hamas attack.
Trump, a longtime critic of mainstream media, may use findings from the FCC’s inquiry to support his case against CBS. Although the network denies accusations of bias, it is reportedly engaged in early settlement discussions with Trump. Some analysts compare the situation to Disney’s $16 million settlement with Trump following ABC News host George Stephanopoulos’s mischaracterization of a civil ruling against him.
Carr, who has been vocal about media regulation issues, has also scrutinized potential security threats posed by the Chinese-owned app TikTok. His investigation into CBS’s editorial decisions has garnered significant attention, especially in light of the pending Paramount-Skydance deal.
Controversy surrounding the Harris interview deepened after “60 Minutes” aired a preview depicting her as offering a coherent response to a question about the Middle East, while the edited broadcast version portrayed her answer differently.
While proving deliberate bias is challenging given First Amendment protections, FCC regulations still require network news broadcasts on public airwaves to maintain impartiality.
If violations are found, Carr could impose conditions on the Paramount-Skydance merger aimed at ensuring greater journalistic integrity.
A spokesperson for Skydance declined to comment, while CBS News reaffirmed its commitment to accurate and balanced reporting.
As the FCC review progresses, media analysts are closely watching how it might influence future regulatory policies and journalistic accountability.
