CBS News Leaders Sell Staff on Return of ’60 Minutes’ Under Bari Weiss

CBS Information is getting staff hyped concerning the first full season of “60 Minutes” under top editor Bari Weiss, months after a string of high-profile exits.

“We do not usually ship notes to the entire newsroom. However at the moment requires it. It is a large second for 60 Minutes and CBS,” newsroom leaders, together with Weiss, wrote concerning the new “60 Minutes” season in a memo despatched to staffers on Sunday.

The memo teases an interview — that “everybody has been chasing” — with a US Air Drive officer who was rescued from Iran in April.

The 59th season of “60 Minutes” could have 10 common contributors, together with 5 correspondents: Lesley Stahl, Invoice Whitaker, Jon Wertheim, Norah O’Donnell, and Ross Douthat, who joined CBS from The New York Occasions in July.

“60 Minutes” is kicking off its extremely anticipated season following a turbulent early-summer stretch for the storied information program.

Lead producer Nick Bilton, who was handpicked by Weiss in Could, began his tenure by firing longtime correspondent Scott Pelley after a loud confrontation in entrance of “60 Minutes” staffers.

Pelley had publicly questioned Bilton’s {qualifications}, pressed his new boss on why fellow correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi had been let go, and accused Weiss of “murdering” the enduring Sunday night time telecast whereas making an attempt to “kill” CBS Information.

Weiss later addressed the firing, telling staffers she’s “solely keen on working in a newsroom that’s constructed on belief and mutual respect.” Bilton told “60 Minutes” employees that his first week had been “a making an attempt and troublesome few days.”

Veteran correspondents Whitaker, Wertheim, and Stahl — who’s been with “60” since 1991 — decided to return to the program, saying that they “do not need to see 60 Minutes die.” They stated they’re “working to construct belief” with Bilton and “heard all the fitting issues” in his memo.

“If we will proceed doing the work that made this present what it’s — committing acts of impartial, fearless journalism and storytelling — we’re right here for it. If not, we depart,” Stahl, Whitaker, and Wertheim wrote of their memo.

Learn the total memo despatched to CBS Information staffers right here:

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We do not usually ship notes to the entire newsroom. However at the moment requires it. It is a large second for 60 Minutes and CBS.

Forward of our premiere, we needed to congratulate the workforce on the launch of what’s going to be an thrilling season—and to thank everybody throughout the CBS newsroom.
Tonight’s episode is a strong begin with three unique, revelatory tales that showcase 60 at its finest. We start with the interview everybody has been chasing. Then, a hidden digicam investigation and a profile of a NFL superteam’s wunderkind coach. We even have a cameo from certainly one of our new correspondents on the story of our time: AI.

We’re deeply grateful to everybody throughout CBS Information for the assist over this summer time. That particularly goes for social, digital, graphics, advertising and marketing, and, above all, the investigative unit.

Final however not least: You’ve got most likely seen the nice “It is Time” marketing campaign in all places. That push continues by means of tonight’s sport. We might be grateful should you can unfold the phrase to your folks and followers by sharing these promos at the moment.

That is simply the beginning and there is a lot extra to return. See you tonight at 7:30pm!

Nick, Bari, and Tom