Overview

• At Wake Forest University on May 19, Scott Pelley warned that the rule of law, journalism, universities and free speech are all under attack.
• Pelley singled out efforts to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion policies, declaring that diversity is deemed illegal and inclusion a dirty word.
• A clip of the speech went viral over the weekend, prompting conservatives on social media to label Pelley’s remarks as “angry,” “unhinged” and self-important.
• Critics noted the irony of Pelley’s warnings given President Trump’s ongoing $20 billion lawsuit against CBS over an edited Kamala Harris interview.
• Supporters and media analysts have defended Pelley’s address as a factual call to uphold democratic values and safeguard journalistic independence.