Amidst the turmoil in 60 minutesCBS News and the outlet’s recent changes were the subject of criticism from the stage at the News and Documentary Emmy Awards on Wednesday night.
The student journalist recipient of the Mike Wallace Memorial Scholarship called out CBS in the wake of the recent merger of its parent company Paramount with SkyDance.
“While I would like to thank CBS News for funding this generous gift for my education, I would also like to acknowledge how the outlet’s recent direction tarnishes the legacy of Mike Wallace, the namesake of this scholarship,” Santiago Campos said on stage to enthusiastic applause from the audience.
He went on to speak out against “corporate elites” who influence the spread of information, and stressed the importance of “journalism that serves the people.”
He added: “As corporate elites control the pipes through which our information flows, journalism that serves the people becomes more difficult, but more important than ever, and what the people want is the truth. So, if you ever hesitate to say the word ‘genocide’ or remain silent in the face of blatant lies, remember to ask yourself: ‘Who is this for?’ I hope you will choose us.”
60 minutes Reporter Scott Pelley, who presented the award to Campos, praised the student journalist for his remarks. “Oh my God, we need guys like you behind us. Thank you. God bless you. I know Mike Wallace is looking at you with pride at this very moment.”
60 minutes It won two awards in the news portion of the two-night News and Documentary Emmy Awards (documentary categories will be presented Thursday night).
But the awards came just hours before the revered news magazine was to undergo a major overhaul with executive producer Tanya Simon being let go and journalist Nick Bilton appointed as executive producer. CBS News also parted ways with a number of other senior producers and reporters Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi. Alfonsi recently spoke out against “corporate interference” and “editorial fear” after editor-in-chief Bari Weiss withdrew her piece on the CECOT prison in El Salvador from December. 60 minutes Last minute broadcast. Weiss said at the time that the piece “wasn’t ready.” It was up and running a month later largely unchanged.
Alfonsi was in the audience at the awards show, where Bailey shouted out to her from the stage during his rendition of Campos’ song.
The Mike Wallace Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a career in broadcast journalism and is funded by a CBS News Scholarship.
“Santiago has a gift for in-depth storytelling and a work ethic that he honed over four years of high school production classes,” Billy said, introducing him. “Whether this student reporter is in front of the camera or behind it, he is passionate, meticulous and practical about the stories he tells. His mission is to help people understand complex stories that have significant social impact and give voice to the voiceless. I believe Mike will see something of himself in this year’s winner.”
