Scott Pelley, a veteran correspondent for 60 Minutes, launched a blistering attack on CBS News management during a staff meeting on Monday, accusing Bari Weiss, the network’s controversial editor-in-chief, of destroying the show. According to sources, Pelley said, “She’s murdering 60 Minutes. She does not love this place. She was brought in to kill it and is doing exactly that.”
The outburst came after CBS fired the show’s executive producer, executive editor, and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega on Thursday as part of a broader overhaul. Pelley directed his criticism at Weiss during a meeting with newly appointed executive producer Nick Bilton and CBS News managing editor Charles Forelle. Forelle accused Pelley of being rude, to which Pelley countered that the network had been rude in its treatment of fired executive producer Tanya Simon. Bilton told Pelley he would not be “intimidated” by his remarks.
Staff present at the meeting gave Pelley a standing ovation, sources said. A CBS News spokesperson declined to comment. A source said overtures have been made to Pelley, who is seen as an important part of the show, but the exchange raises questions about his long-term future.
Pelley had previously shown support for Alfonsi at the News & Documentary Emmy awards last Wednesday, hours after she announced her contract was not renewed. He also praised Santiago Campos, an 18-year-old who criticised the network’s direction under Weiss. In a statement, Alfonsi said, “The wall between editorial independence and corporate interest at CBS is being methodically torn down.” Vega suggested political bias was at play, saying, “In recent months, my producing teams and I have experienced efforts to insert political bias into our stories.” The network contested Vega’s characterisation.
