CBS News staffers are preparing to send a letter to Trump-aligned boss David Ellison, demanding that he uphold journalistic values, according to Breaker Media's Lachlan Cartwright, who spoke on MS NOW Sunday.
Letter Scheduled for Monday
The letter is set to go out on Monday following a massive shakeup at "60 Minutes" and lingering questions about the future of the venerable news source. Ellison, the CEO of CBS' overlord Paramount Skydance, has placed the Trumpification of the network in the hands of CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss.
"As I was just coming on air tonight, guys, I was made aware from sources of a letter that has been put together that will go out tomorrow to David Ellison from CBS News staffers," Cartwright said. "And just quoting from that, they are asking David Ellison to 'respect editorial values and independent journalism.' ... There was a letter meant to go out last year. They decided at that point not to do it. But this letter is going to go out tomorrow to David Ellison from the staffers — because people I speak to within CBS are absolutely distraught about what is going on here."
Anderson Cooper's Farewell Message
Anderson Cooper made a veiled plea for "60 Minutes" to maintain its integrity and independence during an online "60 Minutes Overtime" episode. His ability to deliver that message reportedly infuriated Weiss because she was not given advance notice. Cooper may become an employee of Ellison again when Paramount/Skydance completes its purchase of CNN's parent company.
Staff Dismissals and Controversy
"60 Minutes" producer Tanya Simon, who reportedly angered Weiss by allowing Cooper's speech, was dismissed, along with correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega recently. Alfonsi had spoken out against higher-ups when her segment on a notorious prison that housed Trump administration deportees was pulled, though it later aired.
Ratings and Motives Questioned
Cartwright noted that ratings for "60 Minutes" are actually up, asking, "If it ain't broke, why are they fixing it?" He recalled a conversation with "60 Minutes" alum Steve Kroft, who linked the revamp to Ellison bowing to Trump. "[Kroft] said to me, 'While there's no smoking gun. Trump's DNA is all over this,'" Cartwright said. He also referenced his own reporting on a secret dinner Ellison had for Trump before the White House Correspondents' Dinner, and noted Trump's long-standing hostility toward "60 Minutes," including a $10 billion lawsuit that resulted in a settlement.
HuffPost reached out to CBS News for comment.
