CBS News has fired Scott Pelley, the longtime anchor and managing editor of the news program 60 Minutes. The dismissal comes amid a significant leadership shakeup at CBS News, led by newly appointed chief Bari Weiss. Pelley’s departure follows a confrontation during a staff meeting where he accused the network’s leadership of “murdering 60 Minutes.”
Why this matters
60 Minutes is the United States’ longest-running and highest-rated news program. Changes in its leadership and staff raise concerns about the future direction of the show and the potential impact on independent journalism. The firing of a veteran correspondent like Scott Pelley signals a major shift in CBS News’ editorial approach and management style.
Key developments
- Scott Pelley was dismissed after publicly criticizing CBS News leadership during a staff meeting, accusing them of undermining the program.
- Bari Weiss, who became CBS News chief in October, has initiated a series of personnel changes, including firing the executive producer Tanya Simon and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega.
- Nick Bilton, a former New York Times technology columnist with no broadcast news experience, was appointed as the new editor of 60 Minutes.
- Bilton cited Pelley’s “uncooperative” behavior and “remarkable incivility and contempt” in a termination letter, stating that efforts to find common ground had failed.
- Pelley accused the network of becoming politicized and forcing him to include “falsehoods and bias” in his reporting.
Background
The upheaval at CBS News began after David Ellison, an ally of former US President Donald Trump, acquired CBS’s parent company, Paramount, in August 2025. Ellison appointed Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief, who has since pushed for a new digital-era vision for the network.
Weiss has expressed concerns about declining trust in mainstream media and the need to adapt to changing audience habits. She criticized CBS News for relying too heavily on traditional broadcast television and not producing content that attracts enough viewers.
Since Weiss’s appointment, CBS News has laid off over 6% of its workforce and shut down its radio division. The recent personnel changes at 60 Minutes are part of this broader restructuring effort.
Statements from involved parties
In his statement after being fired, Pelley said the network’s new management had introduced “incompetence and unprofessionalism” and pressured him to “inject falsehoods and bias” into his work. He expressed gratitude for his 37 years at CBS News and 22 years with 60 Minutes.
Nick Bilton, in his termination letter, accused Pelley of disrupting the staff meeting and showing hostility toward the future direction of the show. Bilton also said he had tried multiple times to engage with Pelley directly but was unable to reach an agreement.
Former correspondent Cecilia Vega also criticized the network’s leadership, stating that executives attempted to influence stories and insert political bias, which she described as “dangerous for the show and dangerous for democracy.”
What to watch
- The future editorial direction of 60 Minutes under Nick Bilton’s leadership.
- How CBS News balances its digital transformation goals with maintaining journalistic independence.
- The response from the broader journalism community and CBS News staff to these changes.
Recommended reading
For more context, see related Peack News coverage and explainers linked below.
