FCC wants 60 Minutes to hand over Harris interview transcripts, footage as it reviews Paramount-Skydance merger
The Federal Communications Commission has requested that CBS-parent Paramount Global turn over footage and transcripts from a “60 Minutes” interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris — as part of its review of the company’s planned merger with Skydance Media, according to a report Friday.CBS News said it is working to comply with the FCC’s request for the “full, unedited transcript and camera feeds from our interview with Vice President Harris which aired on October 7, 2024,” according to a statement given to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news.Reps for the network did not respond to inquiries on when it intends to hand over the material.The infamous interview led Donald Trump to file a $10 billion lawsuit, alleging the Tiffany Network “deceptively” edited the sit-down to make his presidential opponent look better just before the election.Previously, CBS had said it aired a more succinct version of Harris’ answer to a question about Israel on “60 Minutes” than the one shown during a promo on “Face the Nation” the day before — and called the allegations meritless.But Trump-appointed FCC chairman Brendan Carr has made it clear in recent weeks about wanting to see the unedited transcripts ahead of the agency’s review of Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance.
The FCC can throw a wrench into the deal because it involves the transfer of broadcast television licenses held by CBS local stations.Carr has been vocal about examining accusations of bias by legacy media and that it could impact the deal.In an interview in November, he cited a news-distortion lawsuit against CBS filed by the Center for American Rights as an element he would consider.The FCC’s involvement comes after reports that Paramount is in talks to settle Trump’s lawsuit, which has led to anger at CBS among the rank-and-file.
Staffers are fuming that a payout could have negative ramifications for press freedom.Legal experts have also di...