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The Guardian World1 min read
60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley lays into CBS leadership over cuts
TL;DR
Scott Pelley criticized CBS leadership during a meeting over the firing of key 60 Minutes staff, including the executive producer and correspondents. He accused editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of undermining the show.
Key points
- Scott Pelley criticized CBS News management during a staff meeting
- CBS fired the executive producer and two correspondents of 60 Minutes
- Pelley accused Bari Weiss of undermining the show
Mentioned in this story
CBSScott PelleyBari WeissTanya SimonSharyn AlfonsiCecilia Vega
Scott Pelley, a veteran 60 Minutes correspondent, called out CBS News management in a heated meeting on Monday morning, attacking the network’s decision on Thursday to fire the show’s executive producer, executive editor, and two fellow correspondents, Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, as part of a broader overhaul of the show, sources tell the Guardian.
During a meeting of the show’s staff and Nick Bilton, its newly appointed executive producer, along with the CBS News managing editor Charles Forelle, Pelley took direct aim at Bari Weiss, the network’s controversial editor-in-chief.
“She’s murdering 60 Minutes,” Pelley said, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. “She does not love this place. She was brought in to kill it and is doing exactly that.”
Forelle accused Pelley of being rude, and Pelley countered by saying that the network had been rude by the way it treated Tanya Simon, the show’s executive producer who was fired on Thursday.
Bilton conveyed to Pelley that he would not be “intimidated” by his remarks.
60 Minutes staff who were present for the meeting showed strong support for Pelley, giving him a standing ovation, sources said.
Last Wednesday, hours after Alfonsi announced that the network had opted not to renew her contract for the show’s 59th season, Pelley gave her a shoutout at the News & Documentary Emmy awards. “There have been many great 60 Minutes correspondents over the years. I see Sharyn Alfonsi in the audience,” he said.
Pelley was also effusive in praising Santiago Campos, an 18-year-old high school senior who called out the network’s direction under Weiss, saying that it “stains the legacy of Mike Wallace”, the namesake of the award that Campos received.
“I know that Mike Wallace is looking down on you with pride at this very moment,” Pelley said.
The exchange on Monday raises questions about Pelley’s future at the show.
A spokesperson for CBS News and Pelley have been contacted for comment.
Q&A
What led to Scott Pelley's criticism of CBS News management?
Scott Pelley's criticism stemmed from CBS's decision to fire the executive producer and two correspondents of 60 Minutes, which he viewed as detrimental to the show's integrity.
Who were the key figures fired from 60 Minutes?
The key figures fired from 60 Minutes included the executive producer Tanya Simon, executive editor, and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega.
What did Scott Pelley say about Bari Weiss's role at CBS?
Scott Pelley accused Bari Weiss of 'murdering 60 Minutes' and claimed she was brought in to destroy the show.
