Scott Pelley fired veteran “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley on Tuesday, June 2, in a shocking move, with CBS saying he was “terminated for cause,” according to CNN.
The outlet added that Pelley could take legal action against the network.
Pelley publicly criticized the new leadership in a staff-wide meeting on Monday morning, in which he called out executive producer Nick Bilton for firing numerous top producers and contributors on the program, including Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega.
In his letter to the veteran correspondent, Bilton said that he “hoped that in sitting down with you today we could find a path forward together,” but alleges that Pelley “made clear that you are not interested in such a path.” That was followed by a message to “60 Minutes” staffers on Tuesday evening, which revealed the news of Pelley’s firing.
“I know how much Scott meant to many of you, and I don’t say this lightly,” Bilton wrote. “I made repeated attempts to have direct conversations with him over the weekend, and this afternoon I tried to find common ground. That was not the path Scott chose.”
Fans Show Support For Scott Pelley Following CBS’ Decision
“@scottpelley thank you for having integrity 🙏🥺. You’re a legend,” one person wrote.
“Looking forward to Scott’s next chapter,” another person commented.
“You are an inspiration. Your reporting and your grit. This firing is an example of weak leaders cowering in front of the truth. The end of an era. 🔥,” someone posted.
“Pelley is a Legend! Where ever he goes we will follow,” a fan expressed.
“Scott, we applaud you and your backbone. Your courage, moral integrity, and allegiance to honest journalism is what makes us respect and admire you. Thank you for providing such great journalistic excellence and years of making 60 minutes a show I loved, respected, and will no longer watch,” another fan said.
“Wear it as a badge of honor Scott!,” one fan shared.
Scott Pelley’s History With CBS
GettyPelley served as a correspondent on the spin-off show “60 Minutes II” in June 1999 after having served as CBS News’ chief White House correspondent since August 1997. He then joined “60 Minutes” in 2004. Before his time with the show, the veteran broadcaster received an Emmy Award in 1996 for his work covering the TWA Flight 800 disaster, as well as one in 1994 for his reporting on the Branch Davidian conflict.
In 2017, he became a full-time correspondent of the popular news show.
“Scott’s work over many years at 60 MINUTES has been extraordinary. So has his dedication to consequential reporting,” Jeff Fager, the show’s Executive Producer at the time, said. “It is exciting for all of us, and good for our viewers, that he will be focusing all of his efforts on 60 Minutes.”
