CBS News Firing Update
During a staff meeting on Wednesday, CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss discussed the termination of Scott Perry, stating that the decision was unavoidable after a public disagreement with management.
Weiss mentioned that the “foundation of trust and mutual respect” had deteriorated, which led to the network’s choice to let Perry go, as recorded during the morning editorial call.
She explained their attempts to reconnect with Scott Pelley, but those efforts didn’t yield results. “We didn’t want that to happen, but that’s the path he chose,” she commented.
This was Weiss’ first direct communication with staff following Perry’s dismissal the previous day, which came after a contentious meeting with new executive producer Nick Bilton. Perry has been a prominent correspondent on “60 Minutes” for years.
Despite the circumstances, Weiss took the time to recognize Perry’s significant contributions to the network, including his notable reports on Havana Syndrome, his interview with former Senator Ben Sasse, and an adventurous story where he rappelled into one of the largest caves in the world.
“It’s an unforgettable story,” Weiss remarked, adding that such impactful stories embody the essence of “60 Minutes.”
Weiss aimed to reassure the team about the future direction of the newsmagazine under Bilton, whom she recently appointed following considerable changes at CBS. “These are the kinds of stories we plan to air in September for season 59,” she said, indicating a positive outlook with Bilton’s leadership.
CBS News President Tom Sibrowski echoed her sentiments, recognizing Perry as a crucial part of the network’s history. He stated that Perry’s impressive body of work will always be integral to CBS News.
Sibrowski also acknowledged the rapid changes at the network and expressed understanding that such transitions could be overwhelming for the staff. “We know that these events…are a lot for everyone to process,” he noted.
CBS News has not provided any additional comments regarding the situation.
