They are staying.
Leslie Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim said in a memo Friday that they will remain on “60 Minutes,” adding to the CBS News show’s executives, executive producer Tanya Simon and editor-in-chief Dragan. – He said the chaotic situation that had worsened at the CBS News program since Mihailovic and three other correspondents, including Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega and, most recently, Scott, were fired could calm down. Perry.
“We decided to stay,” the trio said.
But their misgivings about what has happened in the past week at the venerable news magazine have become clear. “We have had a difficult time deciding whether to stay on 60 Minutes.”We remain deeply shaken by the firing of Tanya and Dragan, strong leaders who we all respected. “They were expelled for fighting for our 60 Minutes values and standing up for our independence and integrity, because as far as we know, no explanation has ever been given,” the three journalists said. “Newsrooms should not be run like dictatorships. Collaboration and discussion are how we have always worked at ’60.'” In fact, Don Hewitt encouraged us to defend our work loudly and passionately. ”
The “60 Minutes” staff is upset by the decision made by senior executives at CBS News under the direction of CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss. While many understand her interest in expanding the show’s reach beyond its traditional Sunday night slot, the strategy of firing top journalists, including Mr. Perry, who had a storied career at CBS News, is incomprehensible. Viewership for the linear TV show “60 Minutes” increased by 9% in this latest television season.
The trio also criticized the decision to expel their fellow correspondent. “Fair and honest journalists with these beliefs were subjected to such vile and shabby treatment. Tanya should be celebrated, not brutally ostracized. Same goes for Dragan. It breaks my heart.”
One CBS News staffer said the three correspondents may see themselves as guardians of the “60 Minutes” journalistic tradition. Financial issues may also be involved. “Those who remain on the show have a sense of responsibility to keep things on track so that everyone can continue to do important work, regardless of their personal circumstances, and so that they can grow up and continue to work,” the source says.
Bringing the trio together was considered important to Weiss and Nick Bilton, a former technology journalist and documentarian who became the show’s new executive producer last week. Without them, fall viewers wouldn’t see familiar faces on the show, and there wouldn’t be on-air staff in place to take on the stories that need to be produced and ready in time for fall.
CBS News expects to supplement Ms. Stahl, Mr. Whitaker and Mr. Wertheim with contributions from other CBS News anchors, including Norah O’Donnell. Other staff members also contribute to the program, including Washington correspondent Major Garrett in recent weeks.
The return of Stahl, Whittaker and Wertheim may also ease CBS News staffers’ feelings about their contributions to the program, CBS News staffers say. “I don’t want it to seem like I’m walking on the graves of the people who made this show what it is,” he says.
Three “60” journalists said that, simply put, they felt they could keep the show alive by continuing with it. “We don’t want to see 60 Minutes disappear,” they say. “We are saddened by the hurt and damage this whole mess has caused to the broadcast. We want to try to repair and maintain our reputation by staying here and fighting and continuing Mike Wallace’s tradition of holding feet to the fire and quirky, offbeat reporting like Morley’s about why Finnish people love tango.”
They added, “If we can continue the work that made this show what it was: independent, fearless journalism and storytelling, we’re here for it. If not, we’re leaving.”
Even more in the future…
