A CBS news anchor has reportedly been fired after claiming the network's editor-in-chief "killed" his evening program.
Scott Pelley claimed management asked him to "inject falsehoods and bias" into political reporting and allowed politicians to choose who would interview them.
In 1989, he joined CBS, the BBC's American affiliate. For more than four decades, he served as chief White House correspondent, anchored the CBS Evening News, and became one of the most prominent correspondents on 60 Minutes, the network's flagship program.
He was fired Tuesday evening after a tense exchange with Nick Bilton, the new executive producer of "60 Minutes," during a staff induction meeting on Monday, according to a statement on the network's website.
During the meeting, Mr. Pelley accused Bari Weiss, who took over the network in 2025, of "killing" the show, CBS reported.
Former "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley - CBS
He expressed disagreement with Ms. Weiss's decision to fire several staffers and said the changes she made to the CBS Evening News program "were disastrous.".
He also questioned the qualifications of Mr Bilton, who had never hosted a weekly television show.
On Tuesday, Mr. Bilton informed the presenter of his resignation.
«"Yesterday's show of hostility, played out in front of staff instead of a civilized, private conversation, demonstrated that you have no interest in contributing to the show's future success or in approaching my new position with an open mind to collaboration and progress," Mr. Bilton wrote in a letter published by the publication.
In the letter, Mr. Bilton accused Mr. Pelley of using his first meeting with staff to "denigrate me, my qualifications and my intentions with astonishing impoliteness and contempt.".
He also said they met privately on Tuesday, but at that second meeting Mr Pelley "made it clear" he was "not interested" in "finding a common path forward.".
Nick Bilton, the new executive producer of 60 Minutes, speaks on stage at a Vanity Fair event. — Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
In a statement posted on social media, Mr. Pelley said: "Last month, CBS lost its identity when our entire senior management team and two of our best correspondents were brutally fired without cause.
«"Good people were silenced because they stood up for our audience. They fought for justice against the forces of political bias; they fought for professionalism against chaos.".
«"As for me, the new leadership tasked me with introducing falsehoods and bias into a politically sensitive story. I was instructed to include unsubstantiated allegations. To date, I have never been able to ignore or refuse these instructions.".
«"Recently, politicians were asked to select correspondents for on-air interviews. Giving politicians control over interviews on '60 Minutes' is the wrong approach. Finally, the incompetence and unprofessionalism of the new management have led to disastrous consequences. In the case of one of my stories, the entire program almost went off the air before it even aired 19 minutes later.".
A recording of the meeting reported by The New York Times said Mr. Pelley's voice was shaking during the meeting with Mr. Bilton.
According to the publication, employees present at the meeting applauded him several times.
«"I've been a journalist for 25 years, Scott," Mr. Bilton said, according to Status Report.
«"I've interacted with incredibly powerful people like you. None of that scares me, okay? So you can't intimidate me in front of this group of people.".
CBS News has not yet made any public comment on Mr. Pelley's departure or the charges against him.
Bari Weiss, editor-in-chief of CBS News — Noam Galai/Getty Images
Ms. Weiss's controversial appointment to head the network took place in October 2025.
The former New York Times journalist is the founder of The Free Press, an anti-progressive, right-wing news website that was acquired by CBS's parent company, Paramount, for $1.5 million (£1.2 million) when she was appointed editor-in-chief of the network.
She shifted the channel's political focus to the right.
In December 2025, she made headlines after canceling a 60 Minutes report on the deportations of US citizens to El Salvador's notorious CECOT prison.
At the time, she defended the decision, saying, "Most Americans now say they don't trust the press... And sometimes that means delaying publication of an important story to make sure it's comprehensive and objective.".
«"In these challenging times, this may seem radical. Such editorial decisions can spark outrage, especially during a lull in news activity. And the standards of objectivity we adhere to, particularly on controversial issues, will undoubtedly seem counterintuitive to those accustomed to operating a certain way. But it's necessary to fulfill our mission.".
She also oversaw a controversial editorial reorganization and several high-profile firings.
Try The Telegraph today for full free access. Discover their award-winning website and essential news app, plus helpful tools and expert guides on finance, health, and leisure.