CBS News executives say Ta-Nehisi Coates interview did not meet editorial standards

Executives of CBS News told staffers in an editorial meeting that an interview by talk host Tony Dokoupil with renowned author Ta-Nehisi Coates had not met the network's editorial standards.

Coates was interviewed by CBS Mornings to talk about his recently published book 'The Message', sections of which saw the author address the topic of Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.

During the interview, Dokoupil - who has links to Israel - insinuated that sections of Coates's book on Israel's occupation of the West Bank were "extremist", and asked Coates why he was "offended" by "the existence of a Jewish state".

Coates said that his book was centred on a different perspective, that of Palestinians, and in particular highlighted the plight of Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

"There's nothing that offends me about a Jewish state. I am offended by the idea of states built on ethnocracy, no matter where they are," the renowned author said.

Following the interview, producers and correspondents within CBS suggested that Dokoupil was biased in his line of questioning and that he had a controversial history on the issue.

In an editorial meeting held on Monday, CBS executives told staffers that issues surrounding the interview were addressed with Dokoupil.

According to sources at CBS speaking with CNN, CEO Wendy McMahon and her deputy Adrienne Roark sought a review of the interview from the network's standards and practices unit.

CNN added that the race and culture unit of the news division was involved as well.

The review found that the issue in the interview was Dokoupil's tone.

It said that there would be further discussions within the network in an open forum for monitoring the CBS Mornings staffers.