During a contentious staff meeting, veteran “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley accused media executive Bari Weiss of “murdering” the iconic program, exposing deep divisions within CBS News as executives push for significant changes amid a rapidly evolving media landscape.
“She is murdering ’60 Minutes,'” Pelley said during an exchange with incoming executive producer Nick Bilton, according to a recording of the meeting.
Pelley reportedly added: “She does not love this place. She was brought in to kill it, and she’s been doing exactly that.”
The remarks came after Bilton defended Weiss and attempted to calm fears among employees that the long-running news program was headed for a dramatic overhaul.
“For me, the journalism is the journalism,” Bilton said. “That is why I am here. That is why we are all here.”
Bilton also dismissed speculation that 60 Minutes will abandon its traditional format in favor of short-form digital content.
“The rumors people are spreading, that I’m going to turn the show into 60 one-minute episodes, that it’s going to be like TikTok, that is not changing,” he said. “The show is going to stay exactly like it is for now.”
However, Bilton argued that the program must adapt to a changing media environment, warning that the traditional television business faces an uncertain future.
“Broadcast is an ice cube that is melting,” Bilton said.
Bilton defended Weiss, saying she supports CBS News and 60 Minutes.
“Bari loves this institution,” he stated.
Pelley responded by questioning Weiss’ qualifications and criticizing changes made elsewhere within CBS News.
“She has no qualifications for her job; you have slender qualifications for this job,” Pelley told Bilton. “The changes that she’s made at the ‘Evening News’ have been catastrophic, so why should we expect that any of this is going to be any better?”
Bilton did not directly address Pelley’s criticism of Weiss but said he intended to demonstrate his leadership through results.
“Well, I will show you,” Bilton said. “That’s what I have to say. That is my plan over the next two weeks. I’ll be meeting with everyone. I’m very excited to meet with everyone, yourself included.”
The confrontation underscored tensions inside CBS News as journalists and executives debate how to preserve one of television’s most influential news programs while adapting to declining broadcast audiences and growing competition from digital media platforms.
