Former “60 Minutes” government producer Invoice Owens defended Scott Pelley’s scathing criticism of CBS Information’ management and up to date administration modifications on Monday, saying the veteran journalist “can odor a fraud from a mile away,” in keeping with studies.
“I couldn’t be prouder of him, and I do know all of the folks at ‘60 Minutes’ couldn’t be prouder of him,” Owens stated of Pelley, in keeping with Dateline, whereas receiving a “Reality to Energy Award” on Monday by the New York Metropolis Press Membership. The accolade follows Owens’ resignation from CBS Information final yr, citing threats to his journalistic independence linked to the Trump administration, in keeping with the press membership.
“CBS Information and ‘60 Minutes’ are establishments, not locations the place partisans and ideologues ought to be employed,” he stated, in keeping with Selection.
His message follows the abrupt firing final week of government producers and correspondents with the nation’s prime TV newsmagazine and the appointment of Nick Bilton as this system’s government producer.
Bilton is a former tech columnist and documentarian. He has by no means labored in broadcast TV information, like CBS Information Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss, who was appointed late final yr by the Trump-aligned CEO of Paramount Skydance, David Ellison.
“She has no {qualifications} for her job; you may have slender {qualifications} for this job,” Pelley instructed Bilton throughout Monday morning’s heated employees assembly, in keeping with The New York Occasions. “The modifications that she’s made on the ‘Night Information’ have been catastrophic, so why ought to we anticipate that any of that is going to be any higher?”
Owens echoed that evaluation whereas criticizing final week’s terminations.
“They had been fired by individuals who don’t even know what we do, who don’t truly care,” Owens stated.
CBS Information staffers despatched a letter to Ellison on Monday expressing comparable concern and sentiment.
The letter, signed by present and former “60 Minutes” staffers, in addition to different distinguished journalists and actors, learn, “The wholesale dismissal of editorial administration, with out a public pledge to take care of the values, requirements, and traditions of this program, places the legacy of ‘60 Minutes’ in jeopardy.”