CBS News is a news division of the American broadcast television network CBS. It is the oldest broadcast news organization in the United States, having been founded in 1927. CBS News produces a wide variety of news programs, including the CBS Evening News, CBS This Morning, and 60 Minutes.
CBS News was founded in 1927 by William S. Paley, the president of CBS. Paley hired Edward R. Murrow, the former head of the Columbia Broadcasting System’s (CBS) London bureau, to be the division’s first news director. Under Murrow’s leadership, CBS News quickly became known for its hard-hitting reporting and its commitment to journalistic excellence. Murrow’s most famous broadcasts included his reports on the bombing of London during World War II and the McCarthy hearings in the 1950s.
In the 1960s, CBS News continued to produce groundbreaking journalism. Walter Cronkite, who had succeeded Murrow as news director in 1962, became one of the most trusted and respected news anchors in American history. Cronkite’s coverage of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal helped to shape public opinion and led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
In the 1970s and 1980s, CBS News continued to produce high-quality journalism. The division’s coverage of the Iran-Contra affair and the first Gulf War won numerous awards. However, CBS News also faced some challenges during this time. In 1986, the division was embroiled in a scandal over a report that falsely accused General William Westmoreland of war crimes during the Vietnam War. The scandal led to the resignation of CBS News President Richard Salant.
In the 1990s, CBS News rebounded from the Westmoreland scandal. The division’s coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial and the Monica Lewinsky scandal helped to restore its reputation. However, CBS News also faced new challenges in the 1990s. The rise of cable news networks such as CNN and Fox News Channel led to a decline in viewership for CBS News’s traditional broadcasts.
In the 2000s, CBS News continued to produce high-quality journalism. The division’s coverage of the September 11 attacks, the Iraq War, and the Great Recession won numerous awards. However, CBS News also faced new challenges in the 2000s. The continued decline in viewership for traditional broadcasts led to layoffs and budget cuts at CBS News.
In the 2010s, CBS News began to adapt to the changing media landscape. The division launched a new streaming news service, CBSN, and began to produce more content for online platforms. CBS News also continued to produce high-quality journalism. The division’s coverage of the 2016 presidential election, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Black Lives Matter protests won numerous awards.
Despite these criticisms, CBS News remains one of the most respected news organizations in the United States. The division’s commitment to journalistic excellence has earned it a reputation for accuracy, fairness, and integrity.
