Longtime CBS News journalist Scott Pelley was terminated from 60 Minutes effective immediately after a heated dispute with new executive producer Nick Bilton.
Pelley, who contributed to the program since 2004, was fired on June 2 following a meeting where he questioned Bilton's qualifications and accused CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of harming the show. Bilton, appointed in late May, sent a termination letter citing Pelley's conduct as the reason for the decision. In a public statement, Pelley criticized the program's senior leadership and recent staff changes. He said the ousting of two correspondents occurred without cause and that politicians had been allowed to select interviewers. Bilton's memo to staff noted attempts to find common ground with Pelley had failed. Pelley's departure follows earlier exits including Anderson Cooper in February and several others in May. Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and L. Jon Wertheim remain as contributors for the upcoming season.
