FCC Makes DEMAND Over Kamala “60 Minutes” Ploy

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has intervened in Paramount Global’s merger plans with Skydance Media, demanding unedited footage of a controversial “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris.

At a Glance

  • FCC requests unedited transcript and footage of “60 Minutes” Harris interview
  • Trump sues CBS for $10 million, alleging deceptive editing
  • FCC intervention linked to review of Paramount-Skydance merger
  • CBS claims edits were due to time constraints, not bias
  • Paramount in settlement talks with Trump’s lawyers

FCC Demands Unedited Harris Interview

The Federal Communications Commission has demanded that CBS provide the full, unedited transcript and camera feeds from its October 2024 interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Oh dear.

This unprecedented request comes as the FCC reviews the proposed merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, raising concerns about potential media bias and its impact on the deal.

The FCC’s intervention stems from a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump, who alleges that the “60 Minutes” interview was “deceptively” edited to favor Harris. Trump is seeking $10 million in damages, claiming that CBS’s actions amounted to voter interference during the 2024 election campaign.

CBS, the network behind “60 Minutes,” has traditionally resisted releasing transcripts of its interviews to avoid scrutiny of its editing process. However, the network has stated it will comply with the FCC’s request.

“Late Wednesday, CBS News was sent a Letter of Inquiry from the Federal Communications Commission asking for the full, unedited transcript and camera feeds from our interview with Vice President Harris which aired on October 7, 2024. We are working to comply with that inquiry as we are legally compelled to do,” CBS said in a statement.

This is going to get really big…

CBS maintains that the edits made to the Harris interview were due to time constraints rather than any intentional bias. The network’s lawyers have described Trump’s lawsuit as “completely without merit.” However, the ongoing legal battle has put significant pressure on CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, as it seeks approval for its merger with Skydance Media.

The FCC’s involvement in this matter has raised eyebrows, with some critics arguing that it represents an overreach of the agency’s authority. FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez has voiced her concerns about the request, stating, “Let’s be clear. This is a retaliatory move by the government against broadcasters whose content or coverage is perceived to be unfavorable. It is designed to instill fear in broadcast stations and influence a network’s editorial decisions.”

“During these last two weeks, the FCC has shown a concerning pattern of implementing the will of the Administration on issues that go far beyond our core responsibilities. These actions disregard long-standing norms and ignore the mandate granted by Congress to the FCC to act as an independent agency. They also set a dangerous precedent that threatens to undermine trust in the agency’s role as an impartial regulator,” Gomez added.

Shouldn’t full transparency be the ultimate goal here?