In a new staff memo, 60 Minutes correspondents Leslie Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim revealed that Scott Perry will remain on the show after he became embroiled in a dispute with CBS executives.
CBS News fires ’60 Minutes’ veteran Scott Pelley
“60 Minutes” veteran Scott Pelley’s departure comes after CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss allegedly accused him of “murdering” the news organization.
The longtime correspondents of “60 Minutes” are revealing their plans for the future of the news program, which is in turmoil following the firing of colleague Scott Pelley.
Leslie Stahl, Bill Whitaker and John Wertheim confirmed they will remain on the CBS show in a memo shared with staff and obtained by USA TODAY on Friday, June 5th.
“We had a hard time deciding whether to stay or not,” they said, adding: “We feared that our return would be interpreted as supporting the existing power structure.”
“That is simply, categorically not true,” the correspondent continued. “This is why we’re here to stay. We don’t want to see 60 Minutes disappear.”
The comments came after Perry, 68, was fired earlier this week from the Emmy Award-winning show, which had been on the air for more than 20 years. USA TODAY reported on Tuesday, June 2, that Perry’s firing stemmed from an internal dispute with CBS executives, which resulted in him not receiving severance or other benefits effective immediately.
During a heated staff meeting, Perry accused CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of “murdering” the news organization, according to a recording obtained by The New York Times and reported on Monday, June 1. Tensions also escalated with Nick Bilton, the new executive producer of 60 Minutes.
In a statement to USA TODAY on Friday, a CBS News spokesperson said the network is “excited for Season 59 of 60 Minutes, with Leslie, Bill and John as star correspondents and Nick at the helm.” The new season will reportedly debut on September 13th.
Mr. Stahl, Mr. Whittaker and Mr. Wertheim also expressed disappointment in CBS’ recent mass layoffs, which were dubbed “Black Thursday” in the industry. In addition to Perry’s firing, a number of other 60 Minutes staff members were also let go, including longtime executive producer Tanya Simon, editor-in-chief Dragan Mihajlović, and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega.
“We remain deeply shaken by the dismissal of Tanya and Dragan, strong leaders respected by all,” the correspondents said in a note. “As far as we know, and no explanation has ever been given, they were expelled for fighting for our 60 Minutes values and standing up for our independence and integrity.”
They added: “Newsrooms should not be run like dictatorships. Cooperation and discussion is how we have always worked since ’60.”[Show creator]Don Hewitt actually encouraged us to defend our work loudly and passionately. ”
In a statement released on Wednesday, June 3, the day after his firing became public, Perry called the changes taking place at “60 Minutes” and CBS “heartbreaking.” The award-winning broadcast journalist also detailed recent shocking allegations at the station, including that he was instructed by “new management” to “inject falsehoods and bias into politically sensitive stories.”
Mr Perry also lamented how his former colleagues, whom he described as “good people”, were “silenced” and “brutally fired for no reason”.
“They asserted fairness against the forces of political bias,” Perry said. “They upheld professionalism over disruption.”
Industry unions condemn ‘shocking’ firings on ’60 Minutes’
The entertainment industry’s two largest labor unions, the Screen Actors Guild-National Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Writers Guild of America, have spoken out against the layoffs at 60 Minutes.
“SAG-AFTRA condemns CBS News management’s continued attack on the foundation of CBS News,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement Thursday, June 4. “The company’s latest decision to fire several veteran journalists from 60 Minutes is shocking.”
The union added: “Journalists, like all workers, have the right under federal law to speak out on behalf of their colleagues about workplace concerns without fear of employer retaliation or punishment. SAG-AFTRA stands ready to pursue and support any legal action related to the company’s actions over the past few weeks.”
Tom Fontana, president of the WGA’s sister union, the Writers Guild of America East, said in a letter Thursday that recent developments at CBS News are “more than just ideological interference with the news” and “demonstrate a deep disdain for the profession of journalism,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
“It’s clear that the upper echelons of CBS have a near-constant level of editorial intervention that was previously unthinkable,” Fontana said.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Contributors: Anthony Robledo and Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
