As His Doc ‘Rather’ Starts Streaming for Free on YouTube, Dan Rather Is More Concerned Than Ever About the Future of Journalism, Especially at CBS News: ‘The Wreckage Is Everywhere’ (EXCLUSIVE)
A new free YouTube release of the 2023 documentary *Rather* is bringing Dan Rather’s life and views on journalism to a wider audience. As he approaches his 95th birthday and the US midterm elections, Rather says the film may help highlight the importance of protecting press freedom and the First Amendment.
Rather criticises changes at CBS News under its new owner, Skydance, saying the network and *60 Minutes* have been damaged by corporate influence. He argues the news operation is moving towards a more Fox News-like model, and praises former correspondents Scott Pelley and Sharyn Alfonsi for speaking out before leaving CBS. The documentary also covers Rather’s 44-year career at the network and his controversial departure in 2006.
In short
- Dan Rather’s documentary is now streaming free on YouTube.
- He warns that CBS News and *60 Minutes* have been damaged.
- The film explores press freedom and Rather’s career.
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The case for
Rather’s concern is that corporate ownership can weaken editorial independence and discourage reporting that challenges powerful interests. In his view, changes at CBS risk eroding the trust built by rigorous journalism, and public scrutiny of those changes helps protect press freedom and the First Amendment.
The case against
A thoughtful defence of the changes would argue that new ownership can set a distinct editorial direction and adapt a news organisation to changing audiences and financial realities. Claims that CBS is becoming more partisan or that corporate influence has damaged its journalism should be judged against its actual coverage, rather than treated as established by the criticism of a former anchor.
Explained simply
Dan Rather is an American television journalist who worked at CBS News for 44 years, including as the network’s evening news presenter. He became a prominent figure in US broadcasting, and his departure from CBS in 2006 followed a dispute over a report about President George W Bush’s military service.
CBS News is part of the wider CBS television business, and its flagship current affairs programme is 60 Minutes. The documentary Rather looks back at Rather’s career and at wider questions about the role of news organisations, including their independence from corporate owners.
The First Amendment to the US Constitution protects freedoms including speech and the press. These issues matter because news outlets help people assess public events and political claims, particularly during election periods.
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