Tony Dokoupil supports CBS and Bari Weiss between the firing line for ’60 Minutes’
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“CBS Evening News” lead anchor Tony Dokoupil has defended his relationship with CBS and Paramount amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the “60 Minutes” shooting.
Dokoupil spoke to the Wall Street Journal on Monday after a wave of prominent departures from the network, especially from the long-running program “60 Minutes”. Tensions at the network escalated earlier this month after reporter Scott Pelley was fired following a heated confrontation with network editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and new “60 Minutes” producer Nick Bilton.
Although Pelley accused Weiss of “killing” his program, Dokoupil said he did not share the same anger about the leadership’s interference with his program.
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“CBS Evening News” anchor Tony Dokoupil did an interview with the Wall Street Journal about his experience with CBS. (Michele Crowe/Getty Images)
“If they comment like that, I pay attention to them,” said Dokoupil. “But I can only speak for what’s happening across the street, and it’s not my experience.”
He added, “When it comes to Bari Weiss, he’s the editor-in-chief, he runs the 9 a.m. meeting and he has a lot of ideas. If we like an idea, we use it. If we don’t like it, and if it doesn’t work in our program, we don’t.”
Pelley and other CBS writers accused CBS and its parent company, Paramount, of changing the network’s ratings to appeal to President Donald Trump. Others expressed concern about Paramount CEO David Ellison, who appointed Weiss to replace him, and his close relationship with the president.
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CBS has been criticized for the recent shooting on its “60 Minutes” show. (Al Drago/Getty Images)
Dokoupil clarified that he has “never met David Ellison” and that he doubts that Ellison will influence his show.
“He has never commented on my program. He has never called me to complain about the broadcast. If he tried, it would have no effect,” said Dokoupil.
Fox News Digital has reached out to CBS and Paramount for comment.
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Dokoupil was reportedly selected by Weiss to anchor the CBS Evening News and began running in January. Before his first broadcast, Dokoupil encouraged viewers to respond to his broadcast after admitting that people no longer trust the media.
CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss selected Tony Dokoupil as the new anchor of the “CBS Evening News” earlier this year. (Michael Tessier/CBS)
He continued to express concern about the lack of trust in the media in his interview with The Wall Street Journal.
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“I think all journalists have a problem of trusting each other,” said Dokoupil. “If we’re a yogurt industry, and 70% of people don’t trust yogurt, that would be a problem. I think it’s a journalistic problem.”
