Scott Perry, a 68-year-old journalist, mentioned in last year’s commencement address, “If you quit, you lose,” a phrase that has been integral to CBS News since 1989. He was removed from his role as anchor for the CBS Evening News in 2017, allegedly after voicing concerns about a hostile work atmosphere. He reportedly faced poor ratings, yet he maintained a position as a correspondent on “60 Minutes” for almost ten years.
On Tuesday, CBS News officially parted ways with Perry. The following day, he shared various critiques of the network’s decisions and personnel. During a staff meeting in Manhattan, he condemned the “frivolous” background of Nick Bilton, the new executive producer of “60 Minutes,” and described Bari Weiss, the new editor-in-chief, as someone who “murdered” the show and showed no passion for CBS News.
Bilton, a British filmmaker and ex-technology writer, has faced criticism for lacking journalism experience. He stated, “We have parted ways with Scott Perry” on Tuesday.
A producer with limited credentials defended Bilton in a letter to Perry, expressing disappointment that Perry rejected offers for collaboration and instead chose to criticize him in front of the staff. Bilton argued that while Perry claimed to welcome diverse opinions, his “hostile outbursts” indicated otherwise.
In a phone interview after his dismissal, Perry referred to his past in combat zones, emphasizing his commitment to journalism. He stated, “I’ve served in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, risking my life and my family’s safety for this work.” He contended that Bilton’s understanding of “60 Minutes” was fundamentally flawed.
Earlier, a former CBS News correspondent commented on the new management’s incompetence, suggesting that it has led to a breakdown in core values.
Perry also alleged that Paramount Skydance, the network’s new owner, marginalized him to create a scenario favorable to the Trump administration. He accused the management of instructing him to introduce bias into sensitive political stories.
At the moment, CBS News has not responded to requests for comments regarding Perry’s dismissal. Following Perry’s exit and Anderson Cooper’s recent departure, the current correspondent roster for “60 Minutes” includes Leslie Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and John Wertheim.
