NEW YORK (AP) - The ongoing turmoil at CBS News has led to significant changes within the news program "60 Minutes." In a memo circulated among staffers, the last three remaining correspondents—Lesley Stahl, Jon Wertheim, and Bill Whitaker—expressed their intent to remain with the program for now, stating, "We don’t want to see ‘60 Minutes’ die." This decision comes in the wake of recent firings that have rocked the show's team, prompting feelings of anger and grief among the correspondents.
In their memo, the correspondents conveyed their disappointment regarding the job losses of esteemed colleagues, which they attribute to actions taken by the newly appointed CBS News editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, and the new executive producer, Nick Bilton. Bilton replaced Tanya Simon, who had been with the show for over 30 years. The recent shakes also included the dismissals of correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. Scott Pelley, another key figure on the show, was fired shortly after a heated confrontation with CBS management.
The trio expressed deep sorrow for how their colleagues were treated, saying, "We want to express how sorry we are that these principled, fair and honest journalists were treated so shabbily, with such indecency." Despite their commitment to rebuilding trust with Bilton, they left open the possibility of resigning if the program strays from its core values of independent and fearless journalism. They concluded their memo with a hopeful statement: "Here’s to Season 59!"
Bilton's ability to persuade Stahl, Wertheim, and Whitaker to stay was a crucial step toward stabilizing the show ahead of its upcoming season, which is set to premiere in September. The recent resignations mean the show has lost four correspondents in total, with Anderson Cooper also stepping back earlier this year after two decades on the program.
The turmoil surrounding "60 Minutes" has been brewing for over a year, largely due to a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump against the show concerning its editing of a 2024 interview with then-Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. This legal battle prompted a broader shake-up at CBS News, initiated after Weiss was placed in her role following changes in leadership at the network.
With the merger of Skydance, the parent company of CBS, and Paramount, the network settled the lawsuit with Trump for a substantial $16 million. This settlement angered many within "60 Minutes," as it was perceived to undermine the show's integrity. It is believed that this controversy contributed to the recent departure of popular CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert, who publicly criticized the settlement, referring to it as "a big fat bribe."
CBS News has held a significant position in the American broadcast news landscape since its inception, yet has faced challenges under the leadership of Weiss, evidenced by the earlier announcement of the shutdown of CBS News' radio operations. Historically, CBS's nightly newscast has been regarded as a bastion of trust in the nation, particularly during the tenure of iconic anchorman Walter Cronkite.
The ongoing changes and upheaval at "60 Minutes" reflect not only internal struggles but also broader shifts in the media landscape, leaving the future of the program uncertain amid the new leadership dynamics and evolving viewer expectations.
