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CBS News Fires '60 Minutes' Correspondent Scott Pelley After Executive Clash

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • CBS News has fired veteran "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley.
  • Pelley reportedly clashed with network executives over recent staff cuts at the show.
  • His termination follows a heated meeting where he criticized opinion commentator Bari Weiss.

Scott Pelley, a prominent journalist and correspondent for "60 Minutes," has been terminated by CBS News. The decision follows clashes with network leadership over recent significant staff reductions at the long-running news program, where Pelley has worked since 2004.

She’s murdering 60 Minutes. She does not love this place. She was brought in to kill it and is doing exactly that.

— Scott PelleyPelley's reported criticism of opinion commentator Bari Weiss during a meeting with CBS News executives.

Sources indicate that Pelley's dismissal stemmed from a contentious meeting with newly appointed "60 Minutes" executive editor Nick Bilton and another CBS News executive. During this meeting, Pelley reportedly voiced strong criticism of opinion commentator Bari Weiss, who joined the network in October. Pelley allegedly stated that Weiss was "murdering 60 Minutes" and was brought in to dismantle the program.

Yesterday, you hijacked my first meeting with staff to disparage me, my qualifications, and my intentions with remarkable incivility and contempt.

— Nick BiltonBilton's explanation for Pelley's termination in a letter to the correspondent.

Following the meeting, Pelley reportedly informed staff members that he anticipated being fired. He received a termination letter from Bilton, citing his conduct in the meeting as the reason for his dismissal "for cause effectively immediately." Bilton's letter described Pelley's actions as hijacking the meeting with "remarkable incivility and contempt."

You should hear this from me first. We have parted ways with Scott Pelley. I know how much Scott meant to many of you, and I don’t say this lightly. I made repeated attempts to have direct conversations with him over the weekend, and this afternoon I tried to find common ground. That was not the path Scott chose.

— Nick BiltonBilton informing "60 Minutes" staff about Pelley's termination.

Pelley's departure leaves "60 Minutes" with a reduced correspondent roster. With Anderson Cooper also announcing his departure from the show earlier this year, only three full-time correspondents remain: Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and L Jon Wertheim. CBS News plans to utilize correspondents from across the network more frequently in the upcoming 59th season.

What I regret most is that this situation interfered with the conversation I had hoped to have with you about Season 59 and the future of this show. I realize this is a great deal

— Nick BiltonBilton expressing regret over the circumstances surrounding Pelley's departure.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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