Katie Couric, a seasoned figure in American broadcast journalism, recently surprised many by commending Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson for their successful journeys in independent journalism.
At 69, Couric highlighted the achievements of these former Fox News personalities when asked by Status about rising independent media outlets that seem poised for lasting success.
The esteemed broadcaster praised both Kelly and Carlson for their entrepreneurial spirit and the success they have achieved outside traditional media institutions.
“When you speak to them, they express a sense of freedom due to their ability to make swift decisions and avoid bureaucratic hurdles,” Couric noted.
Couric also took a moment to critique the state of network news, pointing out that her former employers have struggled to remain relevant and adapt swiftly, a sentiment she experienced during her tenure at ABC as well.
The former 60 Minutes correspondent concluded that ‘corporate ownership and journalistic integrity don’t always align,’ before taking a shot at CBS directly.
‘The stories coming out of “60 Minutes” about trying to direct the storytelling in a way that is less offensive to the administration or that fudges the truth is a total embarrassment,’ she said.
‘It’s hard to measure, but there is probably some anticipatory obedience, if you will.’
Longtime legacy media journalist Katie Couric, 69, spoke at length about the current state of network news in an interview of the weekend
She name-dropped Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson after being asked about independent media ventures she thinks ‘will last.’ Couric – an alum of all three legacy networks – offered a sterner assessment when asked about her former employers and their influence
Couric clarified that she does not think this obedience – to Donald Trump and the administration – is ‘everywhere.’
‘There’s still very good reporting being done.’
‘But when corporate interests are trying to achieve something with the administration’s blessing, it’s hard for the news organizations to be completely independent and liberated to report and to seek out the truth,’ she added.
Couric worked at CBS News for roughly half-a-decade. At the time, she was the highest-paid news anchor in the world and worked on both Evening News and 60 Minutes.
‘From everything I’ve read about the reporters who were fired, some of the stories behind the scenes were very troubling,’ she said of the latter’s current state.
A slew of firings hit 60 Minutes on May 28 at the behest of CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss, who was appointed by then-new Paramount CEO David Ellison in October.
Couric said she viewed Ellison’s ownership of CBS News as ‘very concerning’, due to the 43-year-old father’s well-known support for Trump.
Ellison is the son of conservative billionaire Larry Ellison, and his former company, Skydance, acquired Paramount last year days after CBS settled a $16 million lawsuit filed against the network by Trump. Claims of bribery and political slant ensued.
A CBS source pushed back on Couric’s take on the current state of CBS News, which she framed as an ’embarassment’
CBS News has been plagued by accusations of pandering to the president since Paramount appointed Bari Weiss as its editor-in-chief in October
60 Minutes’ former top executive Bill Owens paved the way for the allegations by publicly accusing Paramount of already interfering with the show’s journalistic integrity while the merger was in limbo, before resigning in protest in April 2025.
Paramount is now set to acquire the parent company of CNN, Warner Bros. Discovery, as well.
‘Having control of too many media outlets is not a good thing. It’s cause for concern how they’re going to manage CNN and who’s going to be in charge there,’ Couric said.
‘I think it’s unclear at this juncture, so I’m taking a wait-and-see attitude right now. But anytime there’s massive consolidation, it’s not good for journalists, and it’s definitely not good for viewers, in my opinion.’
As for the changes specifically at 60 Minutes, Couric said she was also waiting.
‘It will be interesting to see how the program coalesces around new hires,’ she said. ‘We’ll see if the quality of the reporting and the quality of the pieces are still there.’
Scott Pelley – previously Couric’s CBS Evening News replacement – Cecilia Vega, Sharilyn Alfonsi, and Anderson Cooper have all exited the program in recent months, with the latter the only one going willingly.
Cooper – a CNN anchor since 2001 – left his longtime 60 Minutes gig last May as his contract expired.
Paramount CEO David Ellison – the man who hired Weiss in October – is now involved in CBS News’ operations
Scott Pelley – Couric’s CBS Evening News replacement – Cecilia Vega, Sharilyn Alfonsi, and Anderson Cooper have all exited the program in recent months, with the latter the only one going willingly
Cooper privately told colleagues he does not want to work for Weiss, according to a report from The New York Times published in June about CNN parent Warner’s looming merger with Paramount.
A CBS source pushed back on Couric’s categorization of CBS News, pointing out how Weiss already oversaw 60 Minutes last season and that it included a number of pieces critical of the Trump Administration.
Segments set around the impact of SNAP cuts on rural Americans, the administration’s attacks and threats on the federal judiciary, and the impact of tariffs on family farms were indeed aired during Weiss’s first year.
Couric, meanwhile, was replaced by Pelley at CBS Evening News back in 2011. She famously anchored the Today show throughout the 90s and early 2000s. She launched Katie Couric Media in 2017 and now runs a popular podcast.
The Daily Mail approached CBS News for comment.