A controversial 60 Minutes segment detailing alleged human rights abuses at El Salvador’s CECOT prison, which CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss reportedly censored, has surfaced online, sparking widespread debate. The report, initially slated for broadcast, described harrowing conditions faced by men deported from the United States, including those awaiting asylum decisions.

The segment, which eventually became accessible through Canadian distribution channels and private sharing, features graphic accounts from former detainees. These individuals described being chained, beaten until they bled, sexually assaulted by guards, and subjected to prolonged torture, such as being forced into stress positions for extended periods in dark rooms. One former detainee, encountered by CBS in Colombia, recounted being told he was “the living dead” at CECOT.

These deportations are linked to a series of agreements made under the Trump administration, where the U.S. sent individuals, primarily Venezuelans and Salvadorans, to El Salvador, a country many had no connection to. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele reportedly offered to house these prisoners for a fee, raising significant concerns about the ethical and legal implications of such arrangements.

Sharyn Alfonsi, the veteran 60 Minutes correspondent behind the report, strongly contested the decision to pull the segment. In an internal email to colleagues, Alfonsi asserted that the story had undergone rigorous internal checks, including five screenings and clearance by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices. She characterized the last-minute cancellation as a “political” rather than an “editorial” decision, emphasizing its factual accuracy.

Ms. Weiss defended her decision on an editorial call, claiming the story was not “ready” and required additional reporting, specifically an on-camera interview with a member of the Trump administration. However, the report’s team had already offered the White House an opportunity to comment, which the administration reportedly declined. Critics argue that requiring government agreement for an interview could compromise journalistic independence.

The timing of the censorship, occurring late on a Saturday night with promotional material removed just hours before broadcast, proved critical. This belated decision meant that CBS failed to prevent the segment’s distribution on all platforms, particularly through Canada’s Global TV, allowing it to leak and spread rapidly across the internet.

Further revelations within the segment suggest the Trump administration had more such deportation deals in the pipeline, potentially worth “millions of dollars.” These agreements reportedly included plans to deport individuals to countries like South Sudan and Uganda, both of which have well-documented histories of prisoner torture, amplifying concerns about potential human rights violations.

Observers have linked Weiss’s appointment and this controversial censorship to larger corporate maneuvers, specifically David Ellison’s Skydance attempting to acquire Paramount, CBS’s parent company. This context includes past disputes between former President Donald Trump and CBS, raising questions about whether the decision was influenced by a desire to placate political figures or facilitate corporate mergers.

The segment’s online proliferation, despite attempts at censorship, has ironically amplified its reach and public discussion. What was intended to be suppressed has instead become a significant talking point, highlighting the challenges of controlling information in the digital age and underscoring the enduring power of investigative journalism, even when faced with internal resistance.

Read Original

Keywords: 60 Minutes, CBS News, Bari Weiss, El Salvador prison, CECOT, Trump administration, human rights, censorship