Scott Pelley took to Instagram on Saturday to express his gratitude to supporters following his contentious firing from 60 Minutes. "To all of you who have been so kind, you are the wind in my sails," Pelley wrote alongside a photo of himself at the helm of a sailboat. "So deeply grateful."
Firing and Allegations
Pelley was dismissed on Tuesday after a heated discussion with 60 Minutes’ new executive producer, Nick Bilton, on Monday. During the meeting, Pelley criticized CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, accusing her of undermining the show. "She does not love this place; she was brought in to kill it and is doing exactly that," he claimed.
Following his departure, Pelley released a statement accusing Weiss of "incompetence and unprofessionalism" and alleged that CBS News management directed him to introduce falsehoods and biases into a politically charged story. "60 Minutes has been the number-one program in America for decades because our beloved audience finds integrity, quality, and humanity in our stories," Pelley stated. He suggested the network's new owner was discarding the show's legacy to gain favor with the Trump administration.
Response from CBS
Bari Weiss responded during a Wednesday morning call with staff, asserting that Pelley had breached "trust and mutual respect."
Pelley's firing followed the earlier dismissal of executive producer Tanya Simon and correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi. The removal of these key figures prompted speculation about whether remaining correspondents Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim might also leave.
Remaining Correspondents' Decision
On Friday, Stahl, Whitaker, and Wertheim confirmed their decision to stay with 60 Minutes. In a memo to staff, they clarified, "We feared that our returning might be construed as an endorsement of the existing power structure. That is simply, categorically not the case. Here’s why we’re staying: We don’t want to see 60 Minutes die."
The shake-up at 60 Minutes has left many industry insiders questioning the future direction of the long-standing program, as its leadership undergoes significant changes.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/scott-pelley-60-minutes-firing-thanks-supporters-1236615488/
