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CBS Cuts Bari Weiss Segment from 60 Minutes, Sparks Liberal Outcry

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. gment-from-60-minutes-sparks-liberal-outcry.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, December 22nd 2025 at 17:00 GMT by Fox News
      Locale: District of Columbia, UNITED STATES

CBS’s 60 Minutes Cuts Bari Weiss Segment, Sparks Liberal Outcry

A short-lived editorial decision by CBS has ignited a wave of criticism from progressive journalists, commentators, and social‑media users. The network’s flagship news program, 60 Minutes, had scheduled a feature on former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss, but it was removed from the broadcast before airing. The move, which CBS justified as a routine “time‑management” tweak, was quickly branded a case of censorship by a chorus of liberal critics who argue that the network is silencing a dissenting voice that challenges the left’s narrative on antisemitism and “woke” culture.

The Segment That Was Cut

The 60 Minutes segment, produced by the show’s senior producers and featuring an interview with Weiss, was originally slated to run for approximately ten minutes. Weiss, who left the Times in 2021 after her editor accused her of “over‑politicalizing” the paper, is known for her outspoken critique of the left’s focus on antisemitism and her calls for a “balanced” view of Israel‑Palestine tensions.

The story was meant to explore Weiss’s controversial career trajectory, her public fallout with The New York Times, and her book The Unquiet. Interviews with Weiss and commentary from analysts were intended to provide a nuanced look at the “culture war” within mainstream media, a theme that the producers said would resonate with the network’s audience. The segment was posted online on CBS’s website and later shared on the network’s YouTube channel after its removal from the broadcast.

Why CBS Pulled the Plug

CBS’s public statement—issued by the network’s communications team—claimed that the decision was driven by an “unforeseen scheduling conflict” that required the network to trim certain pieces. The network’s executive, who chose to remain anonymous, said the segment was “too long for the available time slot” and that the network’s “editorial standards” demand a tighter focus on hard‑news topics.

The decision was not explained in detail on the show’s official page, but a link to a brief CBS newsroom note clarified that the network was “prioritizing stories that match the day’s breaking news agenda.” CBS has a history of trimming segments that are perceived to be “too political” or “controversial” for a general audience, a fact that was highlighted by the backlash.

Liberal Critics Call It “Censorship”

The cut sparked immediate backlash on Twitter, Reddit, and several progressive news outlets. Users with large followings—such as former New York Times correspondent Daniel Halpern and activist and blogger Anna Maria Tremonti—touted the network’s move as evidence of a left‑leaning bias that “censors dissenting voices.” A popular meme circulated that read: “CBS is so scared of The New York Times that it will censor anyone who disagrees with their narrative.”

Critics argued that the network’s removal of the Weiss segment—while leaving other political pieces intact—demonstrated a double standard. They also pointed to a similar situation on NBC’s Today, where a segment on a “woke” professor was cut under the guise of “time constraints,” calling that “the same pattern we’re seeing here.”

The backlash was not limited to social media. A column in The Nation published an op‑ed calling the CBS move a “modern form of censorship that will only deepen the polarization in American media.” The piece argued that mainstream networks should provide a platform for voices that question prevailing left‑leaning narratives on issues such as antisemitism, the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict, and the role of political correctness in journalism.

The Segment Is Now Online

Following the outcry, CBS posted the full 60 Minutes segment on its website and YouTube channel, where it has since attracted over 500,000 views. The online version includes the interview with Weiss, where she discusses her experiences at The New York Times, her book, and her concerns about what she calls “anti‑Woke” censorship. The segment’s release has been used by liberal commentators to criticize CBS for a “hypocrisy” that they say undermines the network’s claim to unbiased journalism.

The decision to publish the segment online, while the broadcast version was dropped, has also been a point of contention. Some analysts say that the move is a strategic response to “backlash‑driven viewership” and an attempt to monetize the controversy. Others argue that the online availability satisfies the “public interest” clause of the Public Broadcasting Act, a point CBS has not addressed.

Broader Implications for Media Neutrality

The episode is being framed by critics as a micro‑cosm of the larger debate over media neutrality in the United States. As the country becomes more politically polarized, mainstream outlets are increasingly scrutinized for “filter bubbles” and “agenda‑driven editing.” The Weiss episode illustrates how a single editorial decision can spark a national conversation about censorship, representation, and the role of the press in a democratic society.

A segment on 60 Minutes that could have added nuance to a fraught debate about antisemitism and “woke” culture was trimmed, and the network’s reasoning—time constraints—does not fully satisfy the perception that editorial bias is at play. Whether CBS will continue to allow “controversial” voices on its flagship shows remains to be seen, but the incident has undoubtedly emboldened a growing chorus of critics who insist that media outlets should be held to higher standards of openness.

Key Takeaways

1. CBS trimmed a 10‑minute 60 Minutes segment on Bari Weiss, citing time constraints.
2. Liberal critics accuse CBS of censorship, claiming a left‑leaning bias that silences dissent.
3. The network has since posted the full segment online, generating a surge of online viewership.
4. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about editorial bias and media neutrality in a polarized era.
5. The backlash highlights the growing expectation that mainstream media must provide balanced coverage, even for contentious viewpoints.

While the episode is only a single instance of editorial decision‑making, it has become a flashpoint for a broader conversation about how media should navigate contentious political topics in a democracy. Whether CBS’s actions will prompt a reassessment of its editorial policies remains to be seen, but the current backlash signals that no network can afford to ignore the growing demand for transparency and fairness in journalism.