“60 Minutes” is a significant force in journalism as the most-watched television news program in the United States. Since its launch on CBS in 1968, it has been home to respected journalists like Mike Wallace, Ed Bradley, and Lesley Stahl. Until recently, Scott Pelley was part of this group.
Pelley spent 37 years at CBS, working as a White House correspondent, anchor of the “CBS Evening News,” and a correspondent for “60 Minutes.” His recent dismissal followed a turbulent period at CBS. Several notable events unfolded, including a controversial financial settlement with President Trump regarding a “60 Minutes” segment. The network’s ownership changed hands to David Ellison. Additionally, Bari Weiss, a former New York Times Opinion staffer and founder of The Free Press, became the head of CBS News.
Weiss, who lacks television-news experience, dismissed Pelley and other colleagues. She appointed Nick Bilton as the new “60 Minutes” boss, which led to conflicts with Pelley. Alongside others who were let go, Pelley accused Weiss of editorial interference and bias, claims that both CBS News and Weiss deny.
In his first interview since his dismissal, Pelley shared details about the specific incident he viewed as interference and reflected on his recent experiences at CBS News. He also expressed his hopes for the future of the network he dedicated much of his career to.
Video: Scott Pelley on the Bari Weiss Era and His Last Days at CBS News
During his interview with Lulu Garcia-Navarro, Pelley explored the recent shake-up he and his colleagues faced. He noted that no one expected the sudden firings, which he labeled as the Black Thursday massacre. The removal impacted the entire senior staff, including Tanya Simon, “60 Minutes” first female executive producer, who oversaw significant audience and online growth.
This major personnel change came during a successful period for “60 Minutes,” which had a 9% increase in viewership and a 190% rise in its online presence. With 2.5 billion views last season, the program reached an unprecedented number of people. Despite the challenges, Pelley remains hopeful about what lies ahead for the iconic news magazine.
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