CBS News has announced a significant restructuring of its flagship programme 60 Minutes, removing several top executives and correspondents amid concerns over editorial integrity. The changes come as the network faces internal and external criticism over alleged political bias.
Former New York Times journalist Nick Bilton has been appointed executive producer for the upcoming 59th season, replacing Tanya Simon, the daughter of legendary correspondent Bob Simon. Simon had taken over after Bill Owens resigned in spring 2025.
The network has also parted ways with correspondent Cecilia Vega, who claimed she was fired despite having nearly a year left on her contract. Veteran correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi was reportedly terminated after criticising network decisions regarding her segment on a Salvadoran prison.
Vega expressed fears for the programme's future, alleging efforts to insert political bias into stories. “Let’s call this what it is: censorship, both imposed and self-driven,” she said in a statement.
The overhaul represents one of the most dramatic changes in the show’s history, which has been the most-watched news programme for 52 consecutive seasons. Bilton, whose background is in tech journalism and documentary filmmaking, lacks broadcast television experience, echoing the appointment of opinion commentator Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief last year.
