NEW YORK (AP) — A heated confrontation at CBS News has exposed deep divisions within the legendary “60 Minutes” program, as veteran reporter Scott Pelley launched a scathing attack against network leadership during a staff meeting this week.
During Monday’s introduction of new executive producer Nick Bilton, Pelley directly challenged CBS News chief Bari Weiss, claiming she was “murdering the show” and questioning Bilton’s credentials for his new role, according to media reports from Status, a publication focused on industry coverage.
The tense 10 a.m. gathering saw Pelley interrogating Bilton about recent dismissals, including former producer Tanya Simon and reporters Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, Status reported after obtaining audio from the meeting. Weiss did not attend the session.
The veteran correspondent criticized Bilton’s background, telling him his credentials were “slender” for leading the prestigious newsmagazine. Bilton previously worked as a technology writer and documentary maker without traditional television news experience.
Pelley’s criticism extended beyond the new producer to Weiss herself, claiming she lacked proper qualifications and had caused “catastrophic” damage to “CBS Evening News,” which Pelley formerly hosted, according to Status.
When Bilton defended his boss, saying “Bari loves this institution” and “she loves ’60 Minutes,’” Pelley fired back with harsh words. “She’s murdering ’60 minutes.’ She does not love this place. She was brought in to kill it and she’s doing exactly that,” Status quoted him as saying.
CBS News representatives did not respond immediately to requests for comment about the confrontation.
However, a network insider speaking anonymously told The Associated Press that both Weiss and Bilton had attempted to contact Pelley privately following last week’s staff changes. They wanted to reassure him of his importance to the program and their desire for his continued involvement.
The source expressed disappointment that Pelley chose to voice his concerns publicly despite their private outreach efforts.
The New York Times, which also reviewed meeting recordings, described Pelley’s distinctive voice trembling during the exchange. An unnamed meeting participant told the newspaper that while Weiss had planned to attend, staff “asked her not to.”
The confrontation occurred four days after Weiss announced significant changes to the 57-year-old program in a staff memo, declaring it was time for fresh leadership at the top-rated news show. Weiss has generated controversy since assuming control of CBS News last October.
In their announcement, Weiss and CBS News president Tom Cibrowski outlined their vision for “building a show that thrives in the 21st century.”
“That requires a new approach,” they explained, describing plans for “expanding ’60 Minutes’ beyond a one-hour television broadcast, deepening its role across CBS News, and holding everything we produce to the ambition, fairness, and fearlessness that have defined ’60 Minutes’ at its best.”
The executives praised Bilton’s appointment, stating he “embodies the energy and ambition that animated the founders of the show. We cannot imagine a better fit.”
According to Status, other staff members applauded Pelley multiple times during his remarks, particularly when he criticized the recent dismissals as harsh treatment.
Bilton reportedly stood his ground against the veteran correspondent’s challenges. “I have been a journalist for 25 years, Scott,” Status quoted him as responding. “I have sat and talked with incredibly powerful people like you have. None of it intimidates me, OK? So you are not going to intimidate me in front of this group of people.”
