Scott Pelley discusses his dismissal from "60 Minutes" and calls for CBS News chief Bari Weiss's removal
In an interview with The New York Times, veteran journalist Scott Pelley detailed the circumstances of his firing from "60 Minutes" and urged the departure of CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, citing concerns over leadership changes and perceived political bias.
Veteran CBS journalist Scott Pelley told The New York Times that he was dismissed from "60 Minutes" after a series of staff changes that included the removal of executive producer Tanya Simon and several senior correspondents. Pelley described the rapid turnover as a "Black Thursday massacre" and noted that the program had recently seen a ratings increase and a 190 percent growth in its online audience under Simon's leadership.
Pelley said the firings occurred the day after he and Simon attended the News & Documentary Emmy Awards, where the show won two trophies. He expressed surprise at the appointment of tech journalist Nick Bilton as the new executive producer, stating that Bilton had no prior experience in television news or management. "Within hours, all of those people have been wiped out, and one‑third of our correspondents have been fired," Pelley said.
At a staff meeting the following Monday, Pelley said he expected Bari Weiss, CBS News editor‑in‑chief, to address the changes, but she did not appear. Instead, Bilton read a statement from his phone, which Pelley described as tone‑deaf. He also referenced an email Bilton had sent to staff, calling it "insulting" and noting Bilton's lack of familiarity with the show's culture.
Pelley recounted a subsequent meeting with CBS News president Tom Cibrowski, during which he was informed that he was being terminated. He denied an accusation that he had physically threatened Bilton, calling the claim false. After waiting several hours for a final decision, Pelley received an email confirming his dismissal.
When asked whether Weiss should be removed, Pelley replied affirmatively, acknowledging her success with the Free Press organization but asserting that television news was not her expertise. He warned that the recent leadership changes have introduced inexperienced managers and a perceived political bias, threatening the integrity of the long‑standing newsmagazine. Pelley also commented on the recent departure of Anderson Cooper, suggesting that a senior correspondent would only leave if the working environment had become untenable, while noting that other veteran journalists have chosen to remain.