Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis We’ll Do It Live! — Steve Kroft
Apr 2, 2026
Steve Kroft, veteran television journalist and long‑time 60 Minutes correspondent. He discusses how technology and budget cuts reshaped network news. He recalls reporting from Vietnam and Chernobyl. He talks about interviewing presidents, media perceptions of Trump and the Clintons, and the competitive, cutthroat world of TV journalism.
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Experience Pipeline Dried Up For 60 Minutes
- 60 Minutes' strength came from deeply experienced reporters who'd served overseas or in Washington before joining the show.
- Kroft says that pipeline dried up, leaving talented hosts but fewer reporters with tough foreign and political reporting backgrounds.
Geography Shapes Perceived Media Bias
- Perception of media bias often stems from geography and demographics of newsrooms rather than explicit political agendas.
- Kroft argues East Coast, Ivy League, Manhattan and D.C. cultures created a built-in slant that audiences read as liberal.
Counteract Perception With Transparent Balance
- Be aware that audience perception can override reporter intent; newsrooms should actively counteract it by showing balanced reporting.
- Kroft points to Scott Pelley and Leslie Stahl being tough but perceived as "hating Trump," illustrating perception gaps.