CBS News

CBS News traces its origins to 1927, when the Columbia Phonographic Broadcasting System (later CBS) began radio news operations under the direction of William S. Paley. The division expanded into television in 1941 with experimental broadcasts, and by the 1950s it had become a dominant force in broadcast journalism under the leadership of Edward R. Murrow, whose wartime reports and later programs like See It Now set standards for investigative reporting.¹

The division's early television newscasts, anchored by Douglas Edwards and later Walter Cronkite, helped define the role of the network anchor as a trusted national figure. Cronkite's coverage of the Kennedy assassination and the Apollo 11 moon landing are often cited as landmark moments in American broadcast journalism.²

CBS News is known for several pioneering programs. 60 Minutes, launched in 1968, created the television newsmagazine format and remains one of the most-watched news programs in American television. CBS Evening News has been a staple since 1948, with anchors including Cronkite, Dan Rather, and Katie Couric.

The division also launched Face the Nation in 1954, one of the longest-running Sunday public affairs programs, and 48 Hours in 1988. In the digital era, CBS News expanded to streaming with CBSN (now CBS News 24/7) in 2014, offering continuous live coverage online.³

CBS News has broken major stories, including the Watergate scandal follow-ups and the 2004 report on President George W. Bush's National Guard service, which was later discredited due to questions about document authenticity, leading to the resignation of anchor Dan Rather.⁴

The division has also been recognized for its investigative journalism, winning numerous Peabody and Emmy awards. Its coverage of the 9/11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and the COVID-19 pandemic has been widely cited for its thoroughness and sensitivity.⁵

Beyond its flagship programs, CBS News has produced notable documentaries and specials, such as the 1960 documentary Harvest of Shame on migrant farmworkers, which aired the day after Thanksgiving and is considered a landmark in television journalism.⁶

The division also operated a radio news service for decades, and its early radio broadcasts included coverage of the Hindenburg disaster in 1937. CBS News was among the first to use satellite technology for live international reports, and its correspondents have filed from conflict zones worldwide, including Vietnam and the Middle East.

Newsmagazine

A television program that presents in-depth reports on news stories, often combining investigative journalism with feature segments.

Network anchor

The main presenter of a network's flagship newscast, who introduces and narrates news reports.

Investigative journalism

A form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic, often involving crime, corruption, or corporate wrongdoing.