Scott Pelley Accuses Bari Weiss of ‘Murdering’ 60 Minutes at Staff Meeting
8 verified6 unconfirmed
Scott Pelley, a longtime correspondent for CBS’s “60 Minutes,” confronted new executive producer Nick Bilton during a staff meeting on Monday, accusing editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of “murdering” the program. The tense exchange came days after multiple staff members were fired, including correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, executive editor Draggan Mihailovich, and executive producer Tanya Simon. Pelley questioned Weiss’s and Bilton’s qualifications, saying that Weiss “has no qualifications for her job” and that Bilton has “slender qualifications.” Bilton defended Weiss, stating she “loves 60 Minutes,” and said rumors that the show would change format were untrue. The meeting occurred amid broader upheaval at CBS News following Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount and the appointment of Weiss, who lacks broadcast news experience, to lead the news division. Separately, a group of journalists including Dan Rather and Lowell Bergman sent a letter to Skydance CEO David Ellison urging him to protect the editorial independence of “60 Minutes.”
What’s verified
Scott Pelley accused Bari Weiss of “murdering” 60 Minutes during a staff meeting with new executive producer Nick Bilton.
Pelley questioned Weiss’s and Bilton’s qualifications for their roles.
The meeting took place after multiple firings, including correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, executive producer Tanya Simon, and executive editor Draggan Mihailovich.
Bilton stated the show will stay “exactly like it is for now” and defended Weiss.
Bari Weiss was appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News by Skydance CEO David Ellison after the acquisition of Paramount.
Weiss has no broadcast news experience and has emphasized a shift to digital and streaming.
Dan Rather, Lowell Bergman, and dozens of other journalists sent a letter to David Ellison urging protection of “60 Minutes” editorial independence.
Pelley referred to the day of the firings as “Black Thursday.”
Not yet confirmed
A single source reported that Bilton said Pelley would not “intimidate” him by raising criticisms in an all-staff setting.
A single source reported that CBS News managers had reached out to Pelley before the meeting but he did not reply.
A single source provided detailed cost figures for “60 Minutes,” including correspondent salaries, production costs, and advertising revenue.
A single source reported that Pelley had previously said the show received “no corporate interference” from new owners, but later Weiss held a segment on El Salvador’s CECOT prison.
A single source included the full list of signatories on the letter to Ellison, including actress Glenn Close.
It is unclear what the three veteran correspondents (Scott Pelley, Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker) will do next.
Key figures
Scott Pelley: 60 Minutes correspondent
Bari Weiss: CBS News editor-in-chief
Nick Bilton: New executive producer of 60 Minutes
Sharyn Alfonsi: Former 60 Minutes correspondent
Cecilia Vega: Former 60 Minutes correspondent
Tanya Simon: Former executive producer of 60 Minutes
Draggan Mihailovich: Former executive editor of 60 Minutes
David Ellison: CEO of Skydance, the parent company of CBS
Dan Rather: Former CBS News anchor
Lowell Bergman: Investigative journalist
Charles Forelle: CBS News managing editor
Sources: deadline.com, Variety, thewrap.com
