In a surprising move, longtime television icon Katie Couric has lauded Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson for their strides in independent journalism. Couric, now 69, specifically highlighted these former Fox News personalities during a conversation with Status, when asked about media innovators who might have lasting impact. She extended her praise, calling their ventures not just “successful,” but also “entrepreneurial.” According to Couric, they relish the freedom that comes with autonomy, unburdened by bureaucratic chains. Reflecting on her former network news homes, Couric expressed disappointment, acknowledging that networks like NBC and CBS have become “less relevant” and slow to evolve. Couric herself had also experienced a brief tenure at ABC. Critically assessing the network news landscape, she remarked on the frequent clashes between corporate ownership and journalistic integrity, particularly calling out recent trends at CBS. She labeled the attempts at steering narratives on ’60 Minutes’ to align with political interests as “embarrassing.”
Couric Warns of Corporate Influence in News
‘Although it’s difficult to quantify, there’s likely a degree of what one might call anticipatory obedience,’ Couric noted, differentiating that the obedience isn’t ubiquitous across media. She maintained that “good reporting” is still prevalent. However, she pointed out the challenge for news outlets striving for independence when corporate interests push for administrative approval. During Couric’s time with CBS News, where she spearheaded the Evening News along with contributions to 60 Minutes, she became the world’s highest-paid news anchor. Currently, Couric expressed her concern regarding the controversial reports of numerous firings at 60 Minutes, referencing troubling behind-the-scenes stories that emerged following these layoffs.
A dramatic series of dismissals hit 60 Minutes on May 28, driven by CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss, who took on the role under fresh leadership from Paramount CEO David Ellison in October. Couric expressed worry over Ellison’s stewardship of CBS News due to his known alignment with Trump. The connection isn’t merely circumstantial; Ellison is the offspring of conservative billionaire Larry Ellison, whose former enterprise, Skydance, bought Paramount shortly after CBS resolved a $16 million lawsuit involving Trump. Accusations of bias and bribery circulated amidst the controversy. Bill Owens, a prior leading executive at 60 Minutes, fueled these concerns by openly accusing Paramount of meddling in the show’s journalistic integrity before resigning in protest in April 2025. Paramount’s looming acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company, adds another layer of complexity. Couric emphasized the dangers of media consolidation, voicing apprehension over how these shifts might reshape CNN’s leadership.
“At this juncture, outcomes remain uncertain, prompting me to adopt a wait-and-see approach,” Couric said of the unprecedented media mergers. She warned of the potentially adverse effects large-scale consolidations could have on journalists and audiences alike. regarding the developments at 60 Minutes, Couric is cautiously observing how the program adapts with its new additions. “Time will reveal if the reporting quality and substance match previous standards,” she added. A notable string of exits—Scott Pelley, Cecilia Vega, Sharilyn Alfonsi, and Anderson Cooper—have left the program in recent months, with Cooper being the only one to leave by choice. After serving as a CNN anchor since 2001, Cooper opted out of renewing his 60 Minutes contract last May, reportedly due to reluctance to work under Weiss, as suggested by a June New York Times report concerning the fusion of Warner with Paramount.
CBS Source Pushes Back
A source from CBS, however, countered Couric’s depiction of CBS News, arguing that under Weiss, 60 Minutes has showcased pieces openly critical of the Trump administration. Segments highlighting issues such as the effects of SNAP cuts on rural communities, judicial conflict, and tariff impacts on family farms aired during Weiss’s initial year. Couric, meanwhile, was succeeded by Pelley at CBS Evening News back in 2011. Widely known for her tenure on the Today show in the 90s and early 2000s, she launched Katie Couric Media in 2017, expanding her influence through a successful podcast. The Daily Mail reached out for CBS News’s perspective on these assertions.
