Scott Pelley Dismissed from CBS News Following Dispute
Scott Pelley has been terminated from CBS News after a conflict with new '60 Minutes' executive producer Nick Bilton. This change marks a significant shift as Pelley is the fourth reporter to leave the program this year.
CBS News has announced the immediate termination of Scott Pelley, a veteran reporter for '60 Minutes', following a public disagreement with new executive producer Nick Bilton. The conflict arose during a staff meeting where Pelley questioned Bilton's and editorial chief Bari Weiss's qualifications, and reportedly expressed his discontent by stating that Weiss was 'murdering ’60 Minutes.'
Bilton conveyed in a letter to Pelley that his 'antipathy to the future of the show has come through loud and clear' and indicated that they could not find common ground in their working relationship. Pelley’s departure leaves '60 Minutes' with only three remaining correspondents as it prepares for its upcoming season this fall.
The program has seen significant staff changes recently, with several key personnel, including former executive producer Tanya Simon, also exiting. Anderson Cooper, a long-time contributor, announced his departure earlier this year. In a message to the team, Bilton acknowledged Pelley's impact on the newsmagazine and expressed his commitment to supporting the staff moving forward. Pelley, who joined CBS News in 1989 and anchored 'CBS Evening News' from 2011 to 2017, has been a prominent figure in the network, earning numerous awards during his tenure at '60 Minutes.' His ability to present in-depth segments, including major historical events, has left a lasting imprint on the program.