Trevor Phillips, newly appointed as a CBS News correspondent, has shared his candid thoughts on his new supervisor, Bari Weiss.
He told The Daily Telegraph, “Bari and her team have the formidable task of steering a massive network news organization, and they’re putting together a small crew for this mission. The remarkable thing about her is her potential to either transform the landscape or fail spectacularly, and when she does, it’s vividly memorable.”
Phillips, who has served as a correspondent for the U.K.’s Sky News since 2021, was chosen by Weiss, editor-in-chief at CBS News, to join the Paramount-owned network as a senior global affairs correspondent. He will also contribute to “60 Minutes.” With a background as a writer and broadcaster, and experience as a politician, Phillips previously chaired the U.K.’s Equality and Human Rights Commission and was knighted in 2022 for his contributions to equality and human rights.
Phillips is preparing to relocate to the U.S. this summer for his new position at CBS. Reflecting on the opportunity presented by Weiss, he said, “At 72, it’s quite an adventure. Who says no to an adventure when someone is willing to take a chance on you?”
In a comprehensive interview with the Telegraph, Phillips addressed the controversy surrounding Weiss’s appointment last year. He noted, “In the U.S., the debate has been framed as CBS News becoming anti-woke, but that’s not Bari’s focus. She holds diverse opinions, some of which resonate with me, others less so, but her core belief is that media should embrace a range of perspectives.”
Phillips declined to comment on speculation that CBS News reporter Holly Williams was replaced by him for an interview with right-wing politician Nigel Farage. However, he remarked, “The current political discourse, represented by figures like Farage, Giorgia Meloni, and Marine Le Pen, challenges traditional politics. We keep trying to force it into the outdated Right/Left framework, which I don’t think fits. I’m interested in interviewing leaders from this movement.”
“I may not be the most polished presenter or autocue reader,” Phillips added, “but they seem to believe I handle the unpredictability of live guests well. Broadcast journalism has, to some extent, become entertainment-focused. We need to prioritize reporting. Put bluntly, the story should take precedence over the reporter. Too many in this field insert themselves between the audience and the story, and that’s not our role.”
