Scott Pelley Fired From CBS 60 Minutes Amid New Leadership Turmoil
Scott Pelley, a veteran correspondent and anchor for CBS News' 60 Minutes, was terminated on Tuesday evening, marking the latest development in a significant restructuring within the organisation. This follows the dismissal of several long-term staff members last week, including the programme's executive producer, by CBS News chief Bari Weiss, who also appointed Nick Bilton, a former technology columnist with no prior broadcast news experience, as the new editor.
Pelley's dismissal comes after he reportedly accused Weiss of "murdering 60 Minutes" during a staff meeting on Monday. In a statement released after his firing, Pelley alleged that the organisation had become increasingly politicised, with new management pressing him to "inject falsehoods and bias" into his work and to include "assertions that are unverified." He further criticised the new management, citing "incompetence and unprofessionalism" that have "wreaked havoc."
Bilton's termination letter accused Pelley of hijacking the staff meeting to disparage him, his qualifications, and his intentions with "remarkable incivility and contempt." Bilton also communicated to 60 Minutes staff that he had made multiple attempts to engage in direct conversations with Pelley but could not find common ground, concluding, "That was not the path Scott chose."
The upheaval at CBS News commenced in August 2025 following David Ellison's acquisition of Paramount, CBS's parent company. Ellison, an ally of former US President Donald Trump, installed Weiss as editor-in-chief in October. Weiss outlined a new vision for CBS News, contending in January that the network was overly reliant on broadcast television and failing to produce content that resonated with audiences. She stated that "not enough people trust us" and that the organisation was not adequately engaging with its audience. These changes have included layoffs affecting over 6% of the workforce and the closure of the radio division. Following the latest season of 60 Minutes, executive producer Tanya Simon and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega were also dismissed.
