CBS anchor Tony Dokoupil defends management amid ’60 Minutes’ fallout, ‘not the expertise that I’ve had’
“CBS Night Information” lead anchor Tony Dokoupil defended his relationship with CBS and Paramount amid ongoing controversies surrounding the “60 Minutes” firings.
Dokoupil spoke to The Wall Road Journal on Monday after the wave of high-profile departures on the community, significantly on the long-running “60 Minutes” program.
Tensions throughout the community reached a brand new excessive earlier this month after correspondent Scott Pelley was fired following a bitter conflict with the community’s editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and new “60 Minutes” govt producer Nick Bilton.
Although Pelley accused Weiss of “murdering” his program, Dokoupil stated that he didn’t share the identical anger in direction of management interference concerning his present.
“Once they make feedback like that, I concentrate,” Dokoupil stated. “However I can solely communicate for what’s occurring on this aspect of the road, and it’s not the expertise that I’ve had.”
He added, “On the subject of Bari Weiss, she’s the editor-in-chief, she runs a 9 a.m. assembly and has a lot of concepts. Once we like the thought, we use it. If we don’t, and if it doesn’t work for our present, we don’t.”
Pelley and different former CBS correspondents have accused CBS and its father or mother firm, Paramount, of adjusting the community’s requirements to attraction to President Donald Trump. Others have expressed issues over Paramount CEO David Ellison, who appointed Weiss to her place, and his amicable relationship with the president.
Dokoupil clarified that he had “by no means met David Ellison” and that he doubted that Ellison would affect his present.
“He’s by no means had a remark about my present. He’s by no means referred to as me to complain about protection. If he tried to, it wouldn’t have an effect,” Dokoupil stated.
Fox Information Digital reached out to CBS and Paramount for remark.
Dokoupil was reportedly handpicked by Weiss to steer “CBS Night Information” and started his run in January. Forward of his first broadcast, Dokoupil inspired viewers to maintain him accountable for his broadcasts after acknowledging that individuals have misplaced belief within the media.
He continued to precise issues over the failing belief within the media in his interview with The Wall Road Journal.
“I believe all journalism has a belief drawback,” Dokoupil stated. “If we’re the yogurt trade, and 70% of individuals didn’t belief yogurt, it could be a disaster. I believe it’s a disaster for journalism.”
