CBS News is getting employees hyped about the first full season of “60 Minutes” under top editor Bari Weiss, months after a string of high-profile exits.
“We don’t often send notes to the whole newsroom. But today calls for it. It’s a big moment for 60 Minutes and CBS,” newsroom leaders, including Weiss, wrote about the new “60 Minutes” season in a memo sent to staffers on Sunday.
The memo teases an interview — that “everyone has been chasing” — with a US Air Force officer who was rescued from Iran in April.
The 59th season of “60 Minutes” will have 10 regular contributors, including five correspondents: Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, Jon Wertheim, Norah O’Donnell, and Ross Douthat, who joined CBS from The New York Times in July.
“60 Minutes” is kicking off its highly anticipated season following a turbulent early-summer stretch for the storied news program.
Lead producer Nick Bilton, who was handpicked by Weiss in May, started his tenure by firing longtime correspondent Scott Pelley after a noisy confrontation in front of “60 Minutes” staffers.
Pelley had publicly questioned Bilton’s qualifications, pressed his new boss on why fellow correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi were let go, and accused Weiss of “murdering” the iconic Sunday night telecast while trying to “kill” CBS News.
Weiss later addressed the firing, telling staffers she’s “only interested in working in a newsroom that is built on trust and mutual respect.” Bilton told “60 Minutes” employees that his first week had been “a trying and difficult few days.”
Veteran correspondents Whitaker, Wertheim, and Stahl — who’s been with “60” since 1991 — decided to return to the program, saying that they “don’t want to see 60 Minutes die.” They said they’re “working to build trust” with Bilton and “heard all the right things” in his memo.
“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 wrote in their memo.
Read the full memo sent to CBS News staffers here:
All — We don’t often send notes to the whole newsroom. But today calls for it. It’s a big moment for 60 Minutes and CBS.
Ahead of our premiere, we wanted to congratulate the team on the launch of what will be an exciting season—and to thank everyone across the CBS newsroom.
Tonight’s episode is a powerful start with three original, revelatory stories that showcase 60 at its best. We begin with the interview everyone has been chasing. Then, a hidden camera investigation and a profile of a NFL superteam’s wunderkind coach. We also have a cameo from one of our new correspondents on the story of our time: AI.We are deeply thankful to everyone across CBS News for the support over this summer. That especially goes for social, digital, graphics, marketing, and, above all, the investigative unit.
Last but not least: You’ve probably seen the great “It’s Time” campaign everywhere. That push continues through tonight’s game. We’d be grateful if you can spread the word to your friends and followers by sharing these promos today.
This is just the start and there’s so much more to come. See you tonight at 7:30pm!
Nick, Bari, and Tom
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