Student awarded CBS News scholarship explains why he called out network at

Standing in front of the most powerful and well-known people in the television news business on Wednesday night, in a glitzy New York City ballroom, 18-year-old high school student Santiago Campos shocked – but also delighted – many in attendance when he called out the network that funded the scholarship he received: CBS News. Campos, a graduating senior at the District of Columbia international school who had traveled to New York for the 47th annual news and documentary Emmy awards with his mother and teacher, was awarded the Mike Wallace memorial scholarship, honoring the legendary television interviewer.

Campos was given the award by veteran 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley, who said: “Mike would see something of himself in this year’s recipient.” While Campos thanked CBS News for funding the $10,000 grant, he launched into a critique of the network’s direction under editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and owner David Ellison. “I want to also acknowledge how the recent direction of the outlet stains the legacy of Mike Wallace, the namesake of this scholarship,” he told the crowd.

“As corporate elites take hold over the very pipes through which our information flows, journalism that serves the people becomes increasingly harder to come by, yet ever more crucial. And what the people want is the truth.

So if at any time you hesitate to utter the word ‘genocide’, or remain silent in the face of blatant lies, remember to ask yourself: ‘Who is this for?’ I hope you choose us.” Pelley effusively praised Campos, and the moment quickly went viral on social media. “I know that Mike Wallace is looking down on you with pride at this very moment,” Pelley said.

Speaking with the Guardian while taking the train back to Washington on Thursday, Campos said he felt an obligation to speak up about the network’s editorial direction – even as he expressed gratitude for the scholarship, which he said he will put toward attending Georgetown University in the fall. (He said he was not familiar with Mike Wallace before applying for the scholarship honoring him.) “I knew it was kind of what I had to do,” Campos said.