Veteran journalist Scott Pelley reportedly launched a blistering attack on CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and her newly appointed head of 60 Minutes during a tense staff meeting on Monday. The former CBS Evening News anchor accused Weiss of destroying the iconic newsmagazine, which has a nearly 60-year legacy.
Pelley's Outburst
According to reports from The Guardian and media newsletter Status, Pelley said of Weiss during an all-hands meeting: "She's murdering '60 Minutes.'" He added, "She does not love this place. She was brought in to kill it and is doing exactly that." His remarks repeatedly drew applause, including a standing ovation from the 60 Minutes staff.
Context of the Firings
The blowup followed the shock firings of executive producers and correspondents last week at the nation's top TV newsmagazine. Weiss, who was reportedly not present at the meeting, fired the show's executive producer and executive editor, ousted two correspondents, and appointed Nick Bilton as the program's executive producer. Bilton, a former tech columnist and documentarian, has never worked in broadcast TV news. Pelley reportedly described Bilton's qualifications as "slender" for the job, according to Puck senior correspondent Dylan Byers, who recounted the fiery exchange in a social media post.
Confrontation with Bilton
When Bilton suggested that he and Pelley have a private conversation, Pelley objected, saying he would rather speak in front of his colleagues. Bilton argued that they are "my colleagues too," to which Pelley responded, "That remains to be seen." Bilton, according to Status, declined to offer insight into the decisions behind the firings when asked by Pelley. On his own controversial appointment, Bilton said he cares "deeply about this institution" and wants to protect it from spiraling like other news outlets, naming Time Magazine as one example.
Pelley told Bilton he "would never be welcomed here," to which Bilton replied, "I have no problem taking a job in a place that I am not welcome, OK? I don't believe that will be the case."
Allegations of Bias
The exchange follows allegations of political and editorial bias being imposed on CBS News staff since Weiss's appointment after the Trump administration-approved merger of CBS's parent company, Paramount, with Skydance. A CBS News representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
