Key Points
Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim are speaking out on 60 Minutes following several recent firings, including colleague Scott Pelley.
“Newsrooms are not supposed to be run like dictatorships. Collaboration and argument are the way we have always worked at 60,” the journalists said.
The journalists also reveal whether or not they are leaving the show.
Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim are speaking out following their colleague’s firing from 60 Minutes.
In a joint memo shared on Friday reported by multiple outlets, the broadcast journalists addressed the changes happening at the TV news magazine and whether or not they would consider leaving the show as a result.
“We have had a hard time deciding whether to stay at 60 Minutes. We’re still deeply upset by the firings of Tanya and Draggan, strong leaders who everyone respected,” they began their statement.
“As far as we can tell — because no explanation has ever been offered, they were expelled because they fought for our 60 Minutes values and stood up to protect our independence and integrity. Newsrooms are not supposed to be run like dictatorships. Collaboration and argument are the way we have always worked at 60. [60 Minutes creator] Don Hewitt actually encouraged loud passionate advocacy for our pieces.”
The journalists then acknowledged ousted colleagues Scott Pelley, Sharyn Alfonsi, and Cecilia Vega, “who exemplified 60 Minutes‘ ethos of tough questions and honest storytelling.”
Stahl reports from Israel for ’60 Minutes’
Credit: CBS News
“We want to express how sorry we are that these principled, fair and honest journalists were treated so shabbily, with such indecency,” the journalists continued. “But, we have decided to stay on. We feared that our returning might be construed as an endorsement of the existing power structure. That is simply, categorically, not the case.” Stahl, Whitaker, and Wertheim then explained why they decided to stay at 60 Minutes.
“We don’t want to see 60 Minutes die. We have been grieving because this whole mess has wounded and damaged the broadcast.”
Adding, “We want to stay and fight, to try and repair and preserve our reputation by continuing the Mike Wallace tradition of ‘hold their feet to the fire’ as well as Morley’s brand of quirky off-kilter reports like his on why people in Finland like to tango!”
The journalists emphasized their commitment to storytelling on the newsmagazine program. “If we can continue doing the work that made this show what it is — committing acts of independent, fearless journalism and storytelling — we’re here for it. If not, we leave.”
Stahl, Whitaker, and Wertheim concluded that they’re staying with 60 Minutes for “the audience, the millions who watch us with a loyal and critical eye… The thought of abandoning you became unbearable. And of course we’re staying because this is home.”
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Their statement comes days after Pelley, who had been with 60 Minutes since 2004, was fired following an explosive staff meeting during which he slammed CBS News leadership. Pelley reportedly said during the Monday meeting that editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who was not present, “has no qualifications for her job.”
“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?” Pelley added.
Scott Pelley reports from Northern Iraq for ’60 Minutes’
Credit: CBS
The following day, 60 Minutes‘ newly appointed executive producer Nick Bilton said to Pelley in a letter reviewed by EW, “Your antipathy to the future of the show has come through loud and clear. And I have heard you. I therefore write on behalf of CBS News to inform you that your employment with CBS is terminated effective immediately.”
Pelley’s ousting comes weeks after 60 Minutes veteran Tanya Simon, executive editor Draggan Mihailovich, and correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi were also fired.
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
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