Congressman calls for action after 60 Minutes report

Lesley Stahl's investigation into police coercion of college students to become confidential informants prompted a slew of responses.

Congressman Steve Cohen (D-Tenn) watched the story and two days later, brought the issue to the House floor, calling for the Department of Justice to investigate the use of young people as confidential informants. He also said he plans to introduce a bill to help protect them:

Other viewers focused on the need for parents to educate their kids:

But the use of the term "kids" was misleading to some viewers, who argued the confidential informants in the broadcast were all legal adults involved in an illegal activity:

At the end of the broadcast, 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft paid tribute to his friend and colleague, producer Harry Radliffe, who died last week after a battle with cancer. In his 26 years at 60 Minutes, Radliffe produced some 100 stories.

Of all the topics Radliffe reported, his stories on the Orthodox Christians were among his best known. In 2009, Radliffe profiled one of the world's most important Christian leaders, the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Orthodox Church, who spoke of the hardships he and his followers faced in Turkey. He shared this letter with the broadcast:

"We were deeply grieved to learn of the passing of your brother, Harry...His creative talents in presenting Orthodoxy to the world through television, as well as his constant campaign for justice and human rights for the Christians of the Middle East have earned him the highest esteem among people of all faiths," wrote Patriarch Bartholomew. "Harry Radliffe, find eternal rest and the reward of a good and faithful servant in the heavenly kingdom."

And then came this letter from Febe Armanios, who was interviewed in Radliffe's story, "The Coptic Christians of Egypt":

"On a warm February day, we trekked through ancient churches and sites, and we became engrossed in discussions over history, religion, and life," Armanios wrote. "In the coming few years, Harry and I became friends. In fact, Harry became like family. We often exchanged reflections on the region's developing politics but also about its best food spots, for instance in Istanbul, one of his favorite cities. I will always think fondly of his warmth and generous spirit, as well as his passion for bringing rich, complex, and rare stories to millions of viewers."

It was reports such as this that prompted the Archons of The Order of Saint Andrew to award Radliffe and the broadcast the Athenagoras Human Rights award in 2013. Last week, 60 Minutes received the following letter from the Archons of the Patriarchate:

"The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Harry Radliffe II and pray for the repose of his tender soul," wrote national commander Anthony Limberakis. "Eternal Be His Memory."