Ridenhour co-founder backs Sharyn Alfonsi after CBS exit

By AI, Created 7:51 PM UTC, May 28, 2026, /AGP/ – Ridenhour Prizes co-founder Randy Fertel praised former “60 Minutes” correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi after CBS News ended its relationship with her on May 28, 2026. Fertel said Alfonsi’s conduct around a disputed investigative report showed the same courage and truth-telling associated with the Ridenhour Prizes.

Why it matters: - The dispute puts a spotlight on editorial independence at CBS News and the pressure journalists can face when major investigations collide with corporate or political concerns. - Alfonsi’s Ridenhour Courage Prize links her case to a broader debate about truth-telling, whistleblowing and public-interest reporting.

What happened: - CBS News officially parted ways with former “60 Minutes” correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi on May 28, 2026. - Ridenhour Prizes co-founder Randy Fertel responded with praise for Alfonsi’s bravery and journalistic integrity. - Fertel is this year’s Ridenhour Prizes keynote speaker. - Alfonsi accepted the annual Ridenhour Prize for Courage last month at the National Press Club in Washington.

The details: - The Ridenhour Prizes were founded in 2004 and marked their 21st year at the April National Press Club gathering. - The prizes recognize people who persevere in acts of truth-telling that protect the public interest, promote social justice or illuminate a more just vision of society. - Alfonsi received the Courage Prize after a public dispute with CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss over a completed “60 Minutes” report on U.S. deportations of Venezuelans to El Salvador’s CECOT prison. - The segment aired in January instead of its planned December release. - Alfonsi said Weiss “spiked” the segment to preserve political favor with the Trump administration. - Weiss said the report did not include a full-throated response from the administration. - Alfonsi said the administration declined several invitations from “60 Minutes” to respond, even after the air delay gave the show more time. - In her acceptance speech, Alfonsi said the CBS dispute was not an isolated editorial argument and reflected “the spread of corporate meddling and editorial fear.” - Fertel said the committee’s choice to honor Alfonsi, and her acceptance despite acknowledging her job could be at risk, has implications beyond CBS.

Between the lines: - Fertel is using Alfonsi’s case to frame the Ridenhour Prizes as especially relevant in a media climate he described as saturated with “alt-facts” and “brazen lies.” - The comparison to Ron Ridenhour places Alfonsi’s reporting in the tradition of exposing wrongdoing despite institutional resistance. - Ron Ridenhour was 23 when he wrote to Congress about the My Lai massacre, where 504 unarmed Vietnamese civilians were killed by U.S. personnel on March 16, 1968. - Fertel said Ridenhour’s bravery inspired him to create the Ridenhour Prizes after Ridenhour’s sudden death in 1998.

What’s next: - Fertel said he is available through Blue Highway Advisory for interviews about the Alfonsi prize, Ron Ridenhour’s legacy, the history of the awards and the future of truth-telling journalism in America. - The Ridenhour Prizes will continue highlighting journalists and whistleblowers who challenge institutional pressure.

The bottom line: - Fertel cast Alfonsi’s dispute with CBS as more than an internal newsroom fight, calling her a fitting symbol for journalism under pressure.