CBS News’ Scott Pelley: Settlement With Trump Would be ‘Very Damaging’ to CBS and Paramount

CBS News veteran Scott Pelley sounded the alarm about the possibility of Paramount Global reaching a settlement in the unprecedented lawsuit filed against CBS and “60 Minutes” last year by President Donald Trump.

Pelley took part Saturday night in a roundtable discussion on journalism with CNN anchor and fellow “60 Minutes” correspondent Anderson Cooper that followed CNN’s live telecast of the Broadway play “Good Night, and Good Luck.” The play recounts the landmark moment in 1954 when CBS News legend Edward R. Murrow challenged the sleazy smear tactics of Sen. Joseph McCarthy at the height of the anti-Communist scare.

“The most important thing is to have the courage to speak, to not let fear permeate the country so that everyone suddenly becomes silent,” Pelley, who formerly held Murrow’s seat as a “CBS Evening News” anchor, said of the role that journalism plays in democracy.

“If you have the courage to speak, we are saved. If you fall silent, the country is doomed,” he said. “It is the only thing that’s gonna save the country. You cannot have democracy without journalism. It can’t be done.”

On the touchy subject of Paramount Global and the Trump lawsuit, Pelley left no doubt where he stands. A financial settlement or apology from Paramount to the President would be a blow to the principles of American journalism. Pelley said a settlement would be “very damaging to CBS, to Paramount, to the reputation of those companies.”

Pelley noted the similar dynamic earlier this year when the Trump administration pressured major law firms to contribute pro bono work to Trump-approved causes — or face executive orders targeting their firms.

“I think many of the law firms that made deals with the White House are at this very moment regretting it. That doesn’t look like their finest hour,” Pelley said.