“60 Minutes” received another round of criticism Sunday for what critics called soft coverage of the National Security Agency — and the next morning, the host of that segment was reported to be taking a job in intelligence or counterterrorism.
The news program was given “unprecedented access” to the agency and its employees, said host John Miller at the outset of the report — where he did note that he had formerly worked in the office of the Director of National Intelligence.
But the Daily Beast and Huffington Post have reported in recent days that Miller was under consideration for a job at the NYPD in an intelligence or counterterrorism role. On Monday, the New York Post’s Page Six reported that Miller was on the verge of taking such a job.
Miller, who had previously worked for new NYPD chief Bill Bratton in New York as a spokesperson and Los Angeles as counterterrorism chief, did not mention any pending career move during the segment. A spokesperson for “60 Minutes” did not immediately return TPM’s requests for comment.
Miller’s NSA report was ripped for its perceived bias toward the NSA. Most notably, no critics of the agency were included in the segment. Several media figures took to Twitter to bash the program during and after its airing.
Wow, the 60 Minutes piece about the NSA was just embarrassing. Kudos to the NSA communications staff. You guys should get a raise.
— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) December 16, 2013
This ’60 Minutes’ report on the NSA is… TV. That’s not a compliment.
— Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu) December 16, 2013
I wondered whether I’d live to see the death of #60Minutes. I have.
— Jeff Jarvis (@jeffjarvis) December 16, 2013
Surprised 60 Minutes would air such a one sided piece on NSA.
— Spencer Ackerman (@attackerman) December 16, 2013
“NSA Doing Great Job, NSA Says” – 60 Minutes
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) December 16, 2013
And the critiques took on new life Monday morning with the reports of Miller’s imminent career change.
If this is true, how in the world did 60 Minutes not disclose it last night? http://t.co/KKwlvATuod
— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) December 16, 2013
What’s wrong with ’60 Minutes’? http://t.co/QYCh8m8pUV via @POLITICO
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) December 16, 2013
