CBS's decision to feature Marjorie Taylor Greene on its flagship program "60 Minutes" has sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing the network of giving a platform to a far-right extremist who has repeatedly expressed hateful and conspiratorial views.
Greene's appearance on the show was promoted by CBS with a teaser that described her as someone who is not afraid to share her opinions, no matter how intense or provocative they are. However, in reality, Greene has been vocal about conspiracy theories, including the idea that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and that school shootings like the one at Parkland, Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School were staged.
During the interview, which aired on Sunday night, CBS host Lesley Stahl failed to confront Greene about some of her most extreme views. She did not mention Greene's attendance at a white nationalist event last year or her defense of January 6 rioters, despite these being significant issues that have garnered widespread attention and criticism.
In fact, Greene was able to praise Stahl as a "legendary icon" and a "trailblazer for women in journalism," despite having differing views on several key issues. This lack of critical examination from the host has been widely criticized, with some accusing CBS of trying to legitimize Greene's extreme views by giving her a platform.
The decision to feature Greene on "60 Minutes" is particularly concerning given the network's own history of controversy. In 2000, the show interviewed Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber who was responsible for one of the deadliest domestic terrorist attacks in US history. More recently, in 2019, the show conducted an interview with Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which many saw as a tacit endorsement of his extremist views.
While it is true that "60 Minutes" has featured some controversial guests over its 50-plus-year history, Greene's appearance on the show stands out for its lack of critical examination and its seeming attempt to legitimize her extreme views. It is also worth noting that CBS CEO Les Moonves' comments during Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, in which he described Trump as a "damn good" candidate for CBS despite criticizing his policies as being bad for America, seem eerily similar to the mindset at play in Greene's interview.
Ultimately, this decision by CBS to feature Greene on its flagship program is not just a matter of free speech or giving a platform to unpopular views. It is also a reflection of the network's own values and priorities, particularly when it comes to issues like hate speech, extremism, and the role of media in shaping public discourse. As one commentator noted, "60 Minutes" appears to be trying to make money off Greene's fame and notoriety, rather than holding her views up to scrutiny or attempting to educate its audience about the dangers of extremism.
Greene's appearance on the show was promoted by CBS with a teaser that described her as someone who is not afraid to share her opinions, no matter how intense or provocative they are. However, in reality, Greene has been vocal about conspiracy theories, including the idea that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and that school shootings like the one at Parkland, Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School were staged.
During the interview, which aired on Sunday night, CBS host Lesley Stahl failed to confront Greene about some of her most extreme views. She did not mention Greene's attendance at a white nationalist event last year or her defense of January 6 rioters, despite these being significant issues that have garnered widespread attention and criticism.
In fact, Greene was able to praise Stahl as a "legendary icon" and a "trailblazer for women in journalism," despite having differing views on several key issues. This lack of critical examination from the host has been widely criticized, with some accusing CBS of trying to legitimize Greene's extreme views by giving her a platform.
The decision to feature Greene on "60 Minutes" is particularly concerning given the network's own history of controversy. In 2000, the show interviewed Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber who was responsible for one of the deadliest domestic terrorist attacks in US history. More recently, in 2019, the show conducted an interview with Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which many saw as a tacit endorsement of his extremist views.
While it is true that "60 Minutes" has featured some controversial guests over its 50-plus-year history, Greene's appearance on the show stands out for its lack of critical examination and its seeming attempt to legitimize her extreme views. It is also worth noting that CBS CEO Les Moonves' comments during Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, in which he described Trump as a "damn good" candidate for CBS despite criticizing his policies as being bad for America, seem eerily similar to the mindset at play in Greene's interview.
Ultimately, this decision by CBS to feature Greene on its flagship program is not just a matter of free speech or giving a platform to unpopular views. It is also a reflection of the network's own values and priorities, particularly when it comes to issues like hate speech, extremism, and the role of media in shaping public discourse. As one commentator noted, "60 Minutes" appears to be trying to make money off Greene's fame and notoriety, rather than holding her views up to scrutiny or attempting to educate its audience about the dangers of extremism.
I dont get why CBS would do this, think about all the hate speech Marjorie Taylor Greene spread 
and yet they just gave her a platform on national TV without even questioning her 
. It's like they're trying to profit from her notoriety rather than promoting real journalism 
. What's next? 
I gotta say, this is just wild to me. I mean, I get that Marjorie Taylor Greene has some, uh, strong opinions... but come on, 60 Minutes? That's like giving a platform to a troll who's trying to start a riot 
. And Lesley Stahl not pressing her on some of the more, you know, extreme stuff she's said in the past? That just seems lazy to me. I mean, if I'm watching a show and I want to see critical thinking, I expect it from my journalists 
. And don't even get me started on the timing – after all the other controversy CBS's faced in the past... this just feels like they're trying to cash in on Greene's notoriety 
. Give me some real journalism over this soft-ball approach any day 
.
But seriously, I don't get it. Can't CBS just call BS and say "no thanks" when someone's views are so toxic? 
I guess they're trying to make some cash off her notoriety or something... 
, this just feels like another example of them trying to legitimize hate speech and extremism instead of calling it out for what it is 
.
I'm so confused why CBS would feature Marjorie Taylor Greene on their show... 
That doesn't feel like fair journalism to me.
.
! They're giving a platform to Marjorie Taylor Greene, who's basically spewing hate and conspiracy theories left and right, and it's just not okay. I mean, come on, Lesley Stahl didn't even try to call her out on some of the crazy stuff she's said before. It's like they want to legitimize her views or something? 
They're just giving Marjorie Taylor Greene a platform to spew her hate speech and conspiracy theories without even trying to fact-check her claims. It's like they're trying to normalize her extremist views or something. And Lesley Stahl doesn't even do her job right by not calling her out on some of the stuff she said. I mean, come on, a white nationalist event? That's not something to be taken lightly! 