Scott Pelley has reportedly pointed to Bari Weiss, CBS’s new head, as the reason 60 Minutes has fallen apart. The comment reflects growing tension over the show’s direction and editorial independence.
CBS corrspondent Scott Pelley calls out new boss over changes at 60 Minutes
CBS‘ Scott Pelley has broken his silence, calling out new network head Bari Weiss for steering 60 Minutes into unfamiliar territory.
The veteran correspondent reportedly accused the news head, Bari Weiss, of “murdering the show”. He also questioned the judgment behind the new producer’s appointment, calling the person’s qualifications “slender” for a job of that weight.
According to a detailed report from Status, a media news and analysis outlet that obtained a recording of the meeting, Pelley voiced his accusations during Monday’s introductory session. The meeting brought the 60 Minutes staff together with Nick Bilton, the new executive producer Weiss appointed last week. Weiss did not attend, the report said.
Status reported that Pelley challenged Bilton during the 10 a.m. meeting about last week’s dismissals of his predecessor, Tanya Simon, and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. He then turned to Bilton, a former tech journalist and filmmaker with no background in traditional broadcast news, saying that his qualifications were inadequate given the show’s legacy.
Scott Pelley also claimed that Bari Weiss was unqualified to lead CBS News. He also blamed her for changes to CBS Evening News, calling the impact on the show catastrophic.
Status noted that Bilton defended Weiss, saying she cared deeply about CBS and about 60 Minutes. Pelley, however, shot back, saying, “She’s murdering ‘60 minutes.’ She does not love this place. She was brought in to kill it and she’s doing exactly that.”
A source close to CBS News leadership spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. They shared that both Bari Weiss and Nick Bilton reached out to Scott Pelley late last week as changes rocked the 57-year-old show. They told him he was an integral part of 60 Minutes and made clear they wanted him to remain part of it.
