Viewers have seen a number of changes occur at CBS News since Bari Weiss was made editor-in-chief. In particular, a lot of figures have made their exit from 60 Minutes. However, a source has recently claimed that the network had tried to rehire one ousted figure amid the overhaul.
Three Remaining Figures At 60 Minutes Were Reportedly Asked To Contact A Recently Expelled Colleague
Weiss was installed as CBS News’ editor-in-chief back in October. This followed Paramount’s acquisition of her media company, The Free Press, with her having no previous experience in broadcast journalism.
Since then, various figures have come and gone at the network. One programs that has seen a number of figures leave just over the past few weeks, whether by choice or by their contract not being renewed, is 60 Minutes.
Figures who left the program recently include Scott Pelley, Cecilia Vega, Sharyn Alfonsi, Tanya Simon, and Anderson Cooper. Meanwhile, tech journalist Nick Bilton was recently made the show’s new executive producer.
The recent exits have proved controversial for the network, with various figures in media weighing in on the situation, especially as Pelley was fired following comments made at a meeting with Bilton and Weiss. According to Status, however, there has been interest in rehiring a figure that had been ousted from the show.
Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, & Jon Wertheim Previously Spoke Positively Of Mihailovich In A Recent Statement
As the outlet shared, Bilton attempted to convince Draggan Mihailovich to return. Reportedly, he even asked a few of the program’s remaining correspondents, Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim, to contact him.
Mihailovich reportedly declined the offer. Status‘ Oliver Darcy wrote, “Bilton’s openness to potentially rehiring the show’s top editor amounts to yet another acknowledgment that Weiss badly misjudged when she carried out her ill-conceived firings at 60 Minutes. Indeed, it is difficult to interpret the move as anything but an admission that perhaps Mihailovich should not have been pushed out to begin with.”
As noted by Variety, the three journalists previously spoke sympathetically toward Mihailovich, as well as Simon. They shared, “We’re still deeply upset by the firings of Tanya and Draggan, strong leaders who everyone respected. As far as we can tell — because no explanation has ever been offered, they were expelled because they fought for our ‘60 Minutes’ values and stood up to protect our independence and integrity. Newsrooms are not supposed to be run like dictatorships. Collaboration and argument are the way we have always worked at ‘60.’”
The trio continued, explaining their own decision to stay on amid the recent overhaul, “We don’t want to see ‘60 Minutes’ die. … 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.”
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John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.