CBS News executives say CBS Morning interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates did not meet editorial standards

Senior CBS News executives told employees in a phone call this morning that they shared a controversial interview CBS Morning As did co-anchor Tony Dokoupil with author Ta-Nehisi Coates, because his new book delving into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict did not meet the network’s editorial standards.

But the call, which featured Adrian Rourke, editor-in-chief and newsgathering, and Wendy McMahon, president of CBS News and Stations, drew some opposition from others who saw the CBS Morning conversation as a civil conversation that took on both sides of a divisive issue. .

On the internal call, Rourke told staff that after reviewing the coverage “it is clear that there were times when we did not adhere to our editorial standards.” She added that the situation “has been addressed, and will continue to be so in the future.”

“This is a very charged and complex case, and it was very important to us, to Wendy [McMahon]For me, it’s having conversations, taking time, breathing, thinking and then moving forward in a calm and thoughtful way. I say that because it’s not just one interview, one comment, or one story. “This is about preserving the legacy of neutrality and objectivity that CBS News stands for,” she added.

CBS News has not yet commented on the call, a recording of which was posted on Free Press, the website run by Barry Weiss, a former New York Times columnist who has been a vocal supporter of Israel. Bock first reported the internal call.

the Interview last week He became tense at times, as Dokoupil challenged Coates’ hypothesis and views. In the book, messagea collection of essays that includes a section on his trip to the Middle East, in which he criticizes Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

Dokoupil said at the beginning of the interview that the book “would not be out of place in an extremist’s backpack.”

“Why do we ignore that Israel is surrounded by countries that want to eliminate it?” said Dokoupil, who was joined by hosts Gayle King and Nate Burleson.

“Why don’t we separate anything from the first and second intifada, the café bombings, the bus bombings, the young children being blown to pieces? Is it because you do not believe that Israel has the right to exist in any way?

“There is no shortage of this perspective in the American media,” Coates replied. This is the first thing I would say. I am always most interested in those who do not have a voice, in those who do not have the ability to speak.

Later, Dokoupil said: “What particularly bothers you about having a Jewish state that is considered a safe place for Jews, and not any other state out there?”

“There is nothing that bothers me about the idea of ​​a Jewish state. He replied: “I am offended by the idea of ​​states built on ethnic rule, regardless of where they are located.”

“Including Muslims,” Dokoupil said.

Coates responded: “I do not want a country where any group of people determines their citizenship rights based on race.”

“We must act in ways that avoid raising any questions about our journalistic independence or integrity,” Rourke said on the call. We still have to ask difficult questions. We will continue to hold people accountable. That’s part of our job too. But we will do it objectively. “This means we have to check our biases and opinions at the door.”

Dokoupil’s ex-wife and two children live in Israel He shared His experience and anxiety during the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 last year. on CBS Morning “I came to this as a journalist, but I’m also a father,” he said last year. “You can’t separate those two things at a certain point,” he added. In the wake of the attack on Israeli civilians, he also said that he “feels sad for the innocent people in Gaza and their children and what will happen to them in the coming days.”

After Coates’ interview aired, it was quickly criticized on social media, and Rourke noted on the internal call that employees had also expressed concerns.

But during the internal call, one reporter, Jan Crawford, said: “It sounds like we’re criticizing one of our anchors in a fairly public setting on this call for failing to meet editorial standards because I’m not even sure why.”

She added: “When someone comes on the air to give us a one-sided account of a very complex situation, as Coates himself admits, I understand that we as journalists have an obligation to challenge that worldview so that our viewers can get that.” Arriving at the truth or a fuller account. A more balanced account.”

Rourke said in the call that she would meet her CBS Morning Workers on Tuesday.