Pelley has issued his first statement since he was abruptly terminated. And it's not pretty, accusing the new producers of trying to deliberately infuse false information into one of the storied program's upcoming reports. 

"He alleged, "For my part, new management has instructed me to inject falsehoods and bias into a politically sensitive story. I've been told to include assertions that are unverified." Pelley didn't share specific details about the story he was referring to, or the alleged unverified assertions.

 Pelley continued, "To date, in every case, I have managed to ignore these instructions or refuse them. Recently, politicians have been invited to choose correspondents for interviews on the broadcast. Giving politicians control over 60 Minutes interviews is not how this is done."

CBS has so far not commented on the allegations.

Scott Pelley claims 60 Minutes boss told him to add 'falsehoods' into story after CBS axe

CBS might as well shut down their news division.  Who is going to watch this corpse after all of this.

Here's Pelley's full statement. It is, to say the least, a remarkable document and unlike anything I've ever seen in broadcasting. 

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There has never been anything in America like 60 Minutes.

The Sunday tradition is the most successful program of any kind in history. For more than a decade, its innovative growth on every major online platform has extended its reach to countless millions around the world. This spring, at the end of our 58th season, 60 Minutes grew rapidly with an unheard-of 9% jump in viewers on CBS.  

“60” has been the number-one program in America for decades because our beloved audience finds integrity, quality, and humanity in our stories. When stewardship of the program passed to my colleagues and me, our responsibility was to expand energetically into a new age of media technology while preserving the values our audience expects. Now, the new owner of our network is casting this legend aside, apparently to curry a moment of favor with the Trump administration.  

The waste is heartbreaking.

Last month, 60 Minutes lost its DNA when our entire senior leadership and two of our best on-air correspondents were cruelly fired without cause. Good people were silenced because they stood up for our audience. They stood for fairness against the forces of political bias; they stood for professionalism against chaos.
 
For my part, new management has instructed me to inject falsehoods and bias into a politically sensitive story. I’ve been told to include assertions that are unverified. To date, in every case, I have managed to ignore these instructions or refuse them. Recently, politicians have been invited to choose correspondents for interviews on the broadcast. Giving politicians control over 60 Minutes interviews is not how this is done. Finally, incompetence and unprofessionalism in the new management have wreaked havoc. In a case involving one of my stories, the entire program came within 19 minutes of not getting on the air at all.

At 60 Minutes, we have fought harder than anyone knows to save the program that became an American icon. We owed that to our millions of viewers. I am deeply moved by the thousands of wishes we have received to “keep up the good fight.” Most of the men and women of CBS News are still in that fight. But now the collapse of values at the top has become untenable. The leadership of 60 Minutes is no longer recognizable. The principles I hold dear are gone, and so I must leave as well.  

I depart after 37 years at CBS with one emotion—a heart brimming with gratitude for the men and women of CBS News who encouraged and enriched my work, very often at the risk of their own lives. I pray for a day when those people and their ideals are honored again—a day when sanity, competence, and courage return.  

Scott Pelley

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I don't think I knew just how many are gone. 

Everyone Who Has Been Fired or Resigned from CBS News and 60 Minutes Since Bari Weiss Took Over

Considering how acrimonious Pelley's sudden departure from CBS News was, the network paid him quite the tribute on its evening news Wednesday, with a 5 minute-long wrap-up of his 37 years at the network.

It was the last thing I expected under the circumstances, but I have to admit it was pretty remarkable.  Nice to know that despite being compromised by upper management with a clear political agenda, the network is still capable of fairness in some of its reporting.

Worth a watch. 

This image says a lot more than words ever can. 

Don't know why you take his word at face value after looking at his work and character. Many fault finding reports out there. Here is one.

https://freebeacon.com/media/scott-pelley-isnt-a-serious-journalist/

Not an accusation. A court decision. Mr Pelley took the side of a Bernie Madoff level scuzzbag (who was also sent to jail).
And as to the source, it seems to me Scott Pelley's haughtiness has rubbed off on you.

RadioActive wrote:

..  a fringe news site .

the "Washington Free Beacon" a 'news site'? .. LOL .. you're being much too kind RA : )) .. 
 

It is a reprint of the writer's substack piece.

https://jonathanleaf.substack.com/p/scott-pelley-isnt-a-serious-journalist

(Since it's too scary to read in the Washington Free Beacon).

She is a Pilgrim to the Cult of Attention. When it becomes unprofitable she will move on to other ventures.

As you sow, so shall you reap...

‘CBS Mornings’ Ratings Plunge After Scott Pelley Firing

mace wrote:

CBS has not been competitive in the Breakfast Battle and Evening Network News War for many decades.

Which is why when the already low numbers deflate even more, you know viewers are sending them a message. 

I don't know if the damage this new management has done to the brand can ever be repaired. Their logo is now a Black Eye.

Last edited by RadioActive (June 23, 2026 4:45 pm)