Among the many accusations from former correspondents, Scott Pelley has alleged political bias from administration, and Sharyn Alfonsi famous that interference got here to considered one of her tales after the editorial course of was completed. In the meantime, Cecilia Vega only recently famous that her tales additionally obtained unwelcome suggestions from administration and have been pushed to incorporate claims that weren’t verifiable.
Concerning Pelley’s and Vega’s accusations, CBS Information beforehand despatched an announcement to TVNewser, denying that administration made selections for political causes. CBS Information didn’t return a request for remark concerning Alfonsi’s departure in Could.
However is there actually overstepping beneath the administration of editor-in-chief Bari Weiss? And in that case, when and the way is it occurring?
To raised perceive the state of affairs, TVNewser spoke with two totally different sources accustomed to 60 Minutes’ editorial course of previous to Weiss approaching in Oct. 2025, studying what goes into editorial and the place administration oversight matches in.
A take a look at 60 Minutes’ editorial workflow
In response to the sources, the 60 Minutes editorial course of begins months upfront as a collaborative effort between the correspondent and their producer as they every pitch potential story concepts. If they comply with a narrative, a proper proposal, often known as a “blue sheet,” is written as much as be offered to 60 Minutes’ management group, together with the chief producer.
As soon as an concept is greenlit, the producer prepares an in depth price range protecting journey, crew dimension, lodging, manufacturing days, and different logistical prices. Administration might request price range alterations, however after approval, the manufacturing group is essentially left alone to report the story, with the one requirement being that the completed piece airs in the course of the present tv season.
Upon completion of filming, the senior editor at 60 Minutes assigns an editor to the undertaking, who then begins placing the story collectively; this course of normally takes two to 3 weeks. Throughout this era, the interviews are additionally despatched for transcription.
The correspondent and the producer will work in tandem to write down the script and are actively concerned within the modifying course of, which begins with a “radio lower” and is whittled right down to the suitable runtime of a 60 Minutes phase, which is roughly 12 to 13 minutes.
Subsequent comes CBS Information’ formal screenings
As soon as the piece is accomplished, the following part is essentially the most traumatic second of all the course of: the primary formal screening.
