Scott Pelley fired from 60 Minutes' after accusing CBS News bosses of 'murdering' the program
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Scott Pelley, a signature on-air talent for “60 Minutes,” was ousted from CBS News a day after he blasted the division’s top management over the firing of the program’s executive producer and two correspondents.“We have parted ways with Scott Pelley,” the newly installed executive producer Nick Bilton said in a message sent to staff Tuesday.Hollywood Inc.
Pelley also attacked the credentials of Nick Bilton, a former New York Times tech reporter and documentary filmmaker who has never run a TV news operation.The network announced Pelley’s departure after a meeting with top CBS News management late Tuesday, where the veteran correspondent continued to ask for answers on why “60 Minutes” executive producer Tanya Simon and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecila Vega were let go last week, according to people familiar with the discussions who were not authorized to speak publicly.Editor in Chief Bari Weiss would not address the matter at the meeting.Pelley’s departure follows a contentious “60 Minutes” staff meeting on Monday where he accused Weiss of “murdering” the country’s most-watched news program.Pelley also raised doubts over the credentials of Bilton, the former New York Times journalist and documentary filmmaker named last week to run the venerable newsmagazine, citing his lack of experience in TV news.
Bilton was named to replace Simon on Thursday, an unexpected move that also came with the firings of the correspondents.The moves were made by Weiss, who has targeted the prestigious program for changes since she arrived at the network in the fall.
Bilton attempted to defend Weiss, who was not at the meeting, and asserted that CBS News management was committed to guiding “60 Minutes” into the digital future.“She is murdering ‘60 Minutes,’” Pelley said of Weiss at the meeting held at the program’s Manhattan headquarters.
“She...