Scott Pelley Terminated by CBS News After Clash With New Executive Producer
8 reported
CBS News has terminated “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley after a heated public argument Monday between Pelley and Nick Bilton, the former tech journalist installed last week by editorial chief Bari Weiss. Pelley is the fourth “60 Minutes” reporter to leave the program since February, leaving Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim as the remaining correspondents. Bilton sent a termination letter to Pelley on Tuesday evening, stating that Pelley’s “antipathy to the future of the show has come through loud and clear.” Pelley had criticized Bilton and Weiss during a staff meeting Monday, questioning their qualifications and accusing Weiss of “murdering ’60 Minutes.'” Bilton said in a memo to staff that he made repeated attempts to have direct conversations with Pelley over the weekend and tried to find common ground, but that was not the path Pelley chose. Pelley could not be reached for immediate comment.
What’s reported
CBS News terminated Scott Pelley after a heated public argument Monday between Pelley and Nick Bilton.
Bilton was installed last week by editorial chief Bari Weiss.
Pelley is the fourth “60 Minutes” reporter to leave since February, following Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega, and Anderson Cooper.
Bilton sent a termination letter to Pelley on Tuesday evening, reviewed by Variety.
Pelley criticized Bilton and Weiss during a staff meeting Monday, accusing Weiss of “murdering ’60 Minutes.'”
CBS News also ousted senior managers last week, including former executive producer Tanya Simon and executive editor Draggan Mihailovich.
Pelley joined CBS News in 1989 and anchored “CBS Evening News” between 2011 and 2017.
Pelley has won half of all major awards earned by “60 Minutes” during his tenure, which began in 2004.
Key figures
Scott Pelley, former “60 Minutes” correspondent
Nick Bilton, new executive producer of “60 Minutes”
Bari Weiss, editorial chief at CBS News
Lesley Stahl, remaining “60 Minutes” correspondent
Bill Whitaker, remaining “60 Minutes” correspondent
Jon Wertheim, remaining “60 Minutes” correspondent
Tanya Simon, former executive producer of “60 Minutes”
Draggan Mihailovich, former executive editor of “60 Minutes”
Sharyn Alfonsi, former “60 Minutes” correspondent
Cecilia Vega, former “60 Minutes” correspondent
Anderson Cooper, former “60 Minutes” contributor
Sources: Variety
