Today’s column pretty much speaks for itself. “60 Minutes” edited not just the presentation of its interview with Kamala Harris (which, how else do you put a show together) but in at least one instance, Harris’ entire answer. A rather imprecise response she gave on Israel, which appeared in a teaser for the interview, didn’t appear in the aired interview. More than that, it didn’t appear in a transcript of the interview. Republicans sometimes overplay their hand in distrusting the media, but what is the explanation for this? CBS hasn’t commented. What I find most unfortunate about this — beyond the obvious — is how it will distract from the terrific job “60 Minutes” anchor Bill Whitaker did in pressing Harris with tough, reasonable questioning.
Now, Fox News was caught doing the same thing earlier this year with a Trump interview. Friendly news outlets are known for this. It attracts and keeps a willing audience, which attract and keep paying advertisers. But it also reduces credibility. I can tell you I’m the best golfer in the world and, while my mom might support me in my lie, no one else in the world should be expected to take me seriously after that. To have any hope of redemption, I have to show I’m trustworthy again by proving my objectivity.
Hopefully “60 Minutes” hasn’t damaged its brand too much in doing this. But it needs to own up to its mistake. It needs to explain it. And it needs to prove to people why it should still continue to be trusted.