CBS’s Tactic of Caving to Political Pressure Exposed Once More

Back in 2004, Sumner Redstone, an influential figure in the media industry, sought to expand CBS’s footprint by acquiring new television stations. This strategy required the green light from the Federal Communications Commission, then under Republican command. President George W. Bush was grappling with a powerful adversary, the Democratic candidate, John Kerry, in his re-election campaign. Redstone did not shy away from revealing his preferred candidate. He believed a Republican administration to be more beneficial, aligning with many of his business perspectives.

Redstone’s endorsement of Bush shocked many; after all, he had self-identified as a ‘liberal Democrat.’ The timing coincided with a targeted attack on the veteran broadcast journalist, Dan Rather, who spearheaded CBS News. Controversy swirled around his ’60 Minutes II’ report, which cast aspersions on Bush’s military service record. Consequently, Rather and four other CBS News staff were dismissed.

Rather insists that corporate interests adversely impacted journalism. He asserts that his and other journalists’ promising careers were abruptly halted as CBS succumbed to the pressures of appeasing those in authority. Recounting business motivations behind journalistic decisions, Rather noted, ‘Corporate had a lot of money at stake in getting additional stations. They didn’t want to irritate the people in power.’

Fast-forward two decades to another heated presidential election—the choice was between incumbent Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Once again, a ’60 Minutes’ piece brought consternation upon the ruling president; this time, it was an interview with Harris. But this time the stakes were exponentially higher. Shari Redstone, Sumner’s successor, needed FCC approval for a sale involving Paramount while Trump was attempting to sue CBS News regarding the contentious segment.

This sequence of past events bears striking similarity to the modern media world’s dilemmas, as showcased in the Frank Marshall-directed documentary ‘Rather.’ The film serves as a warning on how overt political pressures can disastrously warp the media industry. Rather, now 93 and still committed to journalistic pursuits, has mainly remained quiet on the documentary, which tracks his long, sometimes fraught career.

Yet, the current turbulent state of media and journalism has compelled Rather to ponder on its disconcerting state. On media corporations resolving disputes with financial agreements, he remarks, ‘It’s shameful.’ He asserts that the crisis journalists currently face predates the Trump and Bush administrations. ‘What we are seeing is not normal,’ Rather adds, highlighting the industry’s abnormality under their rules.

Reflecting on his history in media, Rather recalls that until the 1980s, the major networks—ABC, NBC, and CBS—were operated by people who considered news a public service rather than a business tool. He recalled moments, such as the Watergate scandal in 1972, when President Nixon attempted to pressure CBS into firing Rather for his ‘impertinent questions.’

Rather notes that unlike today, previous generations of media moguls, such as CBS founder William S. Paley, wouldn’t succumb to political pressures on news coverage. ‘Even then, there was tremendous pressure from the political powers to bring the news operation to heel. But by and large, what they got when they tried that was cold steel. Now, they get cold marshmallow at best,’ Rather laments, drawing a stark contrast.

Recounting his own forced departure from CBS remains a bitter memory for Rather. It might not have been pleasant, but he believes it necessary part of the tale in the documentary. ‘We did not do [the Bush story] perfectly, but to this day, I’ll maintain the story was correct,’ asserts Rather, maintaining his stance on the controversial Bush story.

His phase of life was also depicted in the 2015 movie ‘Truth,” where Rather was played by acclaimed actor Robert Redford. The film serves as a reminder of the turbulent period in his career corroded by internal and external pressures.

Frank Marshall, the producer known for iconic franchises like ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Indiana Jones,’ didn’t shy away from reminding Rather of his critiques throughout his illustrious career. ‘I didn’t want to do a puff piece’, Marshall stresses, emphasizing his desire to tell honest stories rather than flattering ones.

Marshall also underscores the crucial role of journalism in upholding a democratic society, ‘I think a healthy democracy is held accountable by the Fourth Estate,’ says Marshall. He expresses concern that the fragmentation of news in today’s media landscape makes it increasingly difficult to decipher truth from untruth.

Drawing a gloomy portrait of the current media scene, Marshall emphasizes the need for journalism that uncovers uncomfortable truths in the best interest of the people. ‘These journalists are uncovering uncomfortable things, but it keeps people honest, and we need somebody to hold people’s feet to the fire. The truth keeps people on their toes,’ Marshall articulates.

Addressing speculations that Sumner Redstone had a hand in Rather’s removal, Marshall doesn’t discount the possibility. ‘I don’t really know, but where there’s smoke, there’s fire,’ he says cautiously, suggesting doubt but also emphasizing that the boldness of power players should never be underestimated.

Marshall wryly acknowledges the likelihood of such events, ‘I don’t put anything beyond anybody nowadays.’ With this viewpoint, he essentially frames the past and current challenges that journalists face, ever at the mercy of political and corporate pressures.