CBS News Pulls '60 Minutes' Segment on El Salvador's Cecot Prison Amid Controversy
CBS News abruptly pulled a '60 Minutes' investigation into El Salvador's Cecot mega-prison that was scheduled to air on Sunday night.
The segment featured detainees' testimonies describing brutal conditions inside Cecot. However, Bari Weiss, appointed editor-in-chief in October 2025, said she withheld the story because it was not ready, requiring more corroboration and ensuring all principals were put on record.
Sharyn Alfonsi, the correspondent for the segment, criticized the decision as political, pointing out that the piece had already been screened five times and had passed clearance by CBS lawyers and Standards and Practices.
CBS News stated the piece needed additional reporting and considered incorporating perspectives from the White House. Requests for comments were sent to the White House, State Department, and Department of Homeland Security, but none responded.
The decision sparked external backlash, with lawmakers and media figures accusing the network of corporate influence. Senators Brian Schatz and Ed Markey commented on the matter, and technology journalist Kara Swisher criticized CBS ownership, suggesting an interview with Stephen Miller as relevant.
The report connects to U.S. immigration policy, noting that during the Trump administration, hundreds of Venezuelans were deported to El Salvador and over 200 migrants were accused of gang involvement, leading to a deal to detain them at Cecot.
This controversy unfolds amid the broader context of the Paramount Skydance merger dynamics and heightening competition involving Warner Bros Discovery.
