Home / Arts and Entertainment / 60 Minutes Under Fire: Editor Accused of 'Murdering' Show
60 Minutes Under Fire: Editor Accused of 'Murdering' Show
2 Jun
Summary
- Scott Pelley accused editor Bari Weiss of intentionally destroying 60 Minutes.
- Pelley questioned the qualifications of new executive producer Nick Bilton.
- Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi cited 'access journalism' replacing accountability.
Longtime 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley delivered a scathing critique of CBS News leadership during a recent staff meeting. Pelley directly accused editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of "murdering" the venerable news program, asserting she was appointed with the express purpose of dismantling it. His remarks, reportedly made with an "angry" and "shaking" voice, also targeted new executive producer Nick Bilton, whose qualifications Pelley deemed "slender."
These accusations surfaced during an introductory meeting for Bilton, who replaced fired executive producer Tanya Simon. Weiss, who assumed leadership of CBS News in October following a corporate takeover, was not present for Pelley's comments. A source close to CBS leadership indicated that attempts to meet privately with Pelley to address his concerns were unsuccessful.
Pelley's strong statements echo sentiments from other CBS News personnel. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi, who recently departed after over a decade, alleged that the network is prioritizing "access journalism" over accountability. Alfonsi suggested that editorial independence is being eroded, a stark contrast to the program's historical commitment to fearless reporting, which has earned it numerous awards, including 25 Peabody Awards since its 1968 debut.
