NEW YORK (AP) — Saying “We don’t need to see ‘60 Minutes’ die,” the three remaining correspondents on the turmoil-plagued CBS Information present have determined to remain – for now.
A memo from Lesley Stahl, Jon Wertheim and Invoice Whitaker to fellow staffers on the CBS Information present expressed anger over the current firings on the present, and stated the three had had “a tough time” deciding whether or not to remain — however in the end determined to stay.
“Right here’s why we’re staying: We don’t need to see ‘60 Minutes’ die,” the three wrote in a joint memo obtained by The Related Press on Friday.
They expressed their remorse over the current firings of colleagues applied by Bari Weiss, the brand new CBS Information editor-in-chief, and the manager producer she put in final week, Nick Bilton. HE changed Tanya Simon, who was let go alongside after a 30-plus yr tenure with the present, and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, amongst different prime staffers. Scott Pelley was then fired this week after a tense confrontation with CBS Information bosses.
“We need to categorical how sorry we’re that these principled, honest and trustworthy journalists have been handled so shabbily, with such indecency,” the three correspondents stated of their memo. However they stated they have been “working to construct belief” with Bilton, their new boss, and left open the likelihood that they may depart later, if want be.
“If we are able to proceed doing the work that made this present what it’s — committing acts of unbiased, fearless journalism and storytelling — we’re right here for it,” the three wrote. “If not, we depart.”
“Right here’s to Season 59!” the observe ended.
Persuading the three to stay was a vital step in Bilton’s activity of getting the present again on observe for the following season, which launches in September.
The present is immediately down 4 correspondents. Along with the three dismissed, Anderson Cooper — whose major job is on-air work for CNN — stated earlier this yr he was leaving of his personal accord after twenty years.
Bumps had been displaying at “60 Minutes” for greater than a yr. A lot of it got here after President Donald Trump sued the present over its enhancing of a 2024 interview with then-Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
That grew to become a part of a broader shakeup at CBS Information after Weiss was named to the brand new function of editor-in-chief by dad or mum firm Paramount late final yr following David Ellison’s arrival because the community’s company chief.
Ellison’s firm, Skydance, merged with CBS dad or mum firm Paramount, which later settled the Trump lawsuit for $16 million. That upset some at “60 Minutes” and not directly led to the departure final month of in style longtime CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert, who had known as the settlement “a giant fats bribe.”
CBS Information has been on the heart of the American broadcast-news ecosystem since its radio days earlier than the daybreak of tv, although Weiss earlier this yr introduced the shutdown of CBS Information’ radio operation. The community’s nightly newscase was seen for many years as some of the extensively trusted establishments within the nation beneath longtime anchorman Walter Cronkite.
Jocelyn Noveck covers the intersection of media and leisure for The Related Press.
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