Poynter is reporting on significant internal turmoil at CBS News, highlighted by an explosive meeting where veteran correspondent Scott Pelley confronted Nick Bilton, the newly appointed executive producer of "60 Minutes." Pelley accused Bari Weiss, editor-in-chief of CBS News, of "murdering" the iconic news program and lacking qualifications for her role. The confrontation, which followed Weiss's firing of long-time "60 Minutes" executive producer Tanya Simon and other correspondents, underscored widespread "turmoil, anger and resentment" within the network, much of it directed at Weiss. Audio of the meeting was obtained by Status' Oliver Darcy and The New York Times' Michael M. Grynbaum and Benjamin Mullin. Bilton stated he was not involved in the personnel changes, and Pelley also criticized Weiss's changes to the "CBS Evening News" as "catastrophic."
Poynter is also reporting that the Pentagon has designated its press office as a classified space, effectively banning journalists from the area. The Washington Post's Scott Nover wrote that this change, in in place for weeks, would significantly restrict access for reporters upon a possible return, as litigation over press rules continues. Acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez stated the redesignation was due to speechwriters handling classified material and requiring SIPRNet access sharing the facility. Reporters Without Borders condemned the move, calling it "asinine" and an attempt by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "silence objective journalism." The New York Times has previously sued the Pentagon twice over press access policies.
Country singer Alexis Wilkins, girlfriend of FBI director Kash Patel, is suing Versant, the parent company of MS NOW, for defamation, Poynter is reporting. Reporters Ken Dilanian and Carol Leonnig are also named in the suit. The lawsuit stems from a December 2025 MS NOW story alleging Patel ordered his girlfriend's FBI security detail to escort her allegedly inebriated friends home. MS NOW's story quoted anonymous sources, while an FBI spokesperson at the time called the report "made up and did not happen." Wilkins' lawsuit claims journalists are not "entitled to lie" and seeks $75,000 in damages. MS NOW President Rebecca Kutler told The Hill that the outlet "stands firmly behind MS NOW’s reporting."
ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel used his Peabody Awards acceptance speech to discuss the importance of free speech and satire, Poynter is reporting. Kimmel stated that criticizing and satirizing leaders is a constitutional right he took for granted until his brief suspension by Disney after comments on the death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. FCC chairman Brendan Carr had seemingly called for Kimmel to be punished. The Peabody Awards recognized "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for reminding audiences that "comedy and satire are vital — yet also threatening — forms of democratic speech."
A.G. Sulzberger, publisher of The New York Times, spoke at the WAN-IFRA World News Media Congress, criticizing AI companies for the "brazen theft of intellectual property," Poynter is reporting. Sulzberger warned that AI could threaten the future of journalism, stating that tech giants "strip-mine news websites without permission or compensation." He expressed concern about a future with fewer journalists doing original reporting and a drying up of "truth, understanding and accountability." Sulzberger urged the news industry to protect itself and its rights against AI companies building "replacement products" that undermine journalism's ability to earn revenue.