CBS News has terminated the contract of “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley, according to two sources at the network. This decision follows a series of departures within the program in recent weeks.
Pelley expressed frustration with the program’s new management and direction during a staff meeting on Monday, where he accused editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of “murdering ‘60 Minutes.’”
In a Tuesday email seen by Reuters, the executive producer of the show, Nick Bilton, acknowledged Pelley’s concerns. “Your antipathy to the future of the show has come through loud and clear. And I have heard you,” he wrote.
Bilton stated in the message, “I therefore write on behalf of CBS News, Inc. (‘CBS’) to inform you that your employment with CBS is terminated for cause effective immediately.”
Pelley did not respond when contacted for a comment.
In a note to the show’s staff, Bilton confirmed that the network had parted ways with Pelley, noting “the great deal of change in a very short time” at “60 Minutes.” Pelley’s departure follows the firings of several other staff members, including former executive producer Tanya Simon and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega.
In August, Skydance Media, led by David Ellison, acquired Paramount and appointed Weiss as editor-in-chief in October. Ellison was instrumental in securing regulatory approval for this deal, which created Paramount Skydance.
Prior to this transaction, Paramount settled a 2024 lawsuit for $16 million that involved a “60 Minutes” interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris, in which Trump claimed the reporting distorted his views against her.
Source: www.jpost.com via Google News.
