Former '60 Minutes' correspondent Scott Pelley has thanked his supporters after being fired from the CBS newsmagazine following a confrontation with new executive producer Nick Bilton. In an Instagram post on Saturday, Pelley shared a photo of himself at the helm of his sailboat, writing: 'To all of you who have been so kind, you are the wind in my sails. So deeply grateful.'
Pelley was dismissed after reportedly lashing out at Bilton during a staff meeting on May 25, telling the former New York Times technology columnist that he had 'slender qualifications' to lead the show. He also accused CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who appointed Bilton, of 'murdering' the programme.
Bilton subsequently issued a letter confirming the termination, stating that Pelley's 'antipathy to the future of the show has come through loud and clear.' Pelley responded with his own letter, alleging that new management had instructed him to 'inject falsehoods and bias into a politically sensitive story' and give politicians control over interview selections.
The shake-up at '60 Minutes' follows a broader overhaul by Weiss, who earlier fired longtime executive producer Tanya Simon and correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi. Critics have accused Weiss of introducing political bias to the respected broadcast, claims she denies.
