Key facts
- Paramount CEO David Ellison assured '60 Minutes' correspondent Lesley Stahl of the newsmagazine's editorial independence.
- Nick Bilton, the new head of '60 Minutes', hired TV production consultant Kelly Funke to assist with his transition.
- Several CBS News personnel, including executive producer Tanya Simon and correspondent Cecilia Vega, were ousted.
- Former correspondent Scott Pelley was fired after criticizing CBS News leadership and accusing new head Bari Weiss of political influence.
- David Ellison's company is also seeking to acquire CNN's parent company, Warner Bros Discovery.
Paramount CEO David Ellison has assured '60 Minutes' correspondent Lesley Stahl that the newsmagazine will maintain its editorial independence, according to reports. This assurance comes amid significant turmoil and a management shakeup at CBS News following the acquisition of Paramount.
Nick Bilton, the newly appointed head of '60 Minutes', has hired TV production consultant Kelly Funke to help manage his transition into the newsroom and address staff concerns. Funke, who has over a decade of television production experience, is reportedly on a 90-day contract with a renewal option. Her role has been described by some staffers as helping to 'fix the trust' with the team and operating as Bilton's 'chief of staff'.
The appointment of Bilton, who comes from outside traditional television news, and the hiring of Funke suggest anticipated difficulties in managing the newsroom, which has reportedly chafed under the leadership of Bari Weiss, the new head of CBS News. Weiss, who founded a media startup, lacks broadcast journalism experience.
Tensions escalated during a June 1 staff meeting where correspondent Scott Pelley confronted Bilton, expressing disbelief that Bilton would take the job knowing he wouldn't be welcome. Pelley also criticized leadership and accused Weiss of attempting to influence reporting, particularly concerning President Donald Trump. Following this meeting, CBS fired Pelley.
CBS News stated that Weiss's feedback on the piece Pelley referenced had no political motivation and was intended solely to strengthen the report's fairness and accuracy. Bilton reportedly sent an email to staff assuring them of the show's 'journalistic independence'.
This period of change also saw the ousting of executive producer Tanya Simon, longtime producer Draggan Mihailovich, and correspondent Cecilia Vega. Additionally, correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi's contract was not renewed. David Ellison's company is also pursuing the acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, the parent company of CNN.
Paramount previously paid $16 million to settle a 2024 lawsuit filed by Donald Trump concerning a '60 Minutes' interview with Kamala Harris.