Unedited Harris ’60 Minutes’ transcript launched
The Federal Communication Fee (FCC) launched the unedited transcript and video handed over by CBS Information of its controversial “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
LOS ANGELES – The Federal Communications Fee has launched the total, unedited transcript and photographs of Vice President Kamala Harris’ October 2024 interview on “60 Minutes” after months of controversy over how CBS edited the published.
The transfer has reignited debate over whether or not the community misrepresented Harris’ responses to key overseas coverage questions.
What’s within the unedited interview?
The backstory:
CBS confronted criticism for airing completely different parts of Harris’ response concerning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s dealing with of the Israel-Gaza struggle.
In a preview clip aired on “Face the Nation,” Harris gave a prolonged reply that some critics mocked as a “phrase salad.” Nonetheless, when “60 Minutes” aired the interview the next night time, the section featured solely a shorter, extra polished excerpt of her response.
CBS later revealed the total transcript and video, stating that the supplies confirmed “60 Minutes’” authentic assurance that the published was not doctored or deceitful.
The community defended its modifying selections, explaining that journalists repeatedly trim interviews for time, area, or readability, and that “60 Minutes” edits are guided by what will likely be most informative to viewers.
Why is the FCC concerned?
The opposite aspect:
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr ordered CBS to offer the unedited transcript as a part of an investigation into whether or not the community violated the FCC’s information distortion coverage, which prohibits networks from intentionally misrepresenting information occasions.
Carr questioned why CBS instantly launched an unredacted transcript of a current interview with Vice President JD Vance however refused to launch the one with Harris for months. The FCC has since opened a public evaluate of the information distortion criticism.
Carr additionally advised Fox Information Digital that transparency is essential and that the FCC’s evaluate will proceed because it gathers public suggestions. CBS Information has not publicly responded to requests for additional remark.
(L-R) Former US President Invoice Clinton, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attend the inauguration ceremonies within the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photograph by Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Pictures)
CBS responds to criticism
What they’re saying:
CBS maintains that its modifying course of was honest and didn’t misrepresent Harris’ remarks. The community defined that it aired an extended portion of her response on “Face the Nation” and a shorter excerpt on “60 Minutes” however ensured the vice chairman’s solutions have been pretty represented.
It additionally emphasised that the “hard-hitting questions” posed to Harris within the interview spoke for themselves.
“In reporting the information, journalists repeatedly edit interviews – for time, area or readability. In making these edits, ‘60 Minutes’ is at all times guided by the reality and what we consider will likely be most informative to the viewing public – all whereas working throughout the constraints of broadcast tv,” CBS stated on its web site, which included the unique transcripts and video requested by the FCC.
Nonetheless, critics argue that CBS selectively edited Harris’ remarks to guard her from additional scrutiny after her full response was broadly criticized.
The controversy over the transcript launch has drawn renewed consideration to media transparency and the position of networks in shaping political narratives.
What’s subsequent:
The FCC is now searching for public enter on the information distortion criticism and can proceed its evaluate of CBS’ dealing with of the Harris interview. The controversy has additionally raised broader issues about media transparency and the position of federal oversight in journalism.
“The FCC has now opened up a continuing and is searching for public touch upon the Information Distortion criticism. Transparency right here is vital. The FCC’s evaluate will proceed, and we look ahead to the general public’s suggestions,” Carr stated.
