Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim to Remain at CBS News: 'We Don't Want to See 60 Minutes Die'

[Dulcinea]

(The Wrap) Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim have decided to stay at "60 Minutes" for its upcoming 59th season this fall, despite the recent firings of Scott Pelley and other colleagues.

"We feared that our returning might be construed as an endorsement of the existing power structure. That is simply, categorically not the case," they wrote in a memo to CBS News staff on Friday. "Here's why we're are staying: We don't want to see '60 Minutes' die."

"We have had a hard time deciding whether to stay at '60 Minutes.' We're still deeply upset by the firings of Tanya and Draggan, strong leaders who everyone respected," the journalists noted. "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.' Don Hewitt actually encouraged loud, passionate advocacy for our pieces," they added. "This goes for Sharyn, Cecilia and Scott as well, all at the top of the world of TV journalism who exemplified '60 Minutes'' ethos of tough questions and honest storytelling."

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/lesley-stahl-bill-whitaker-jon-161345606.html

[Submariner]

1. They don't have an Andy Rooney anymore who likely would've shredded CBS management

for all this fascist press drama.

[buzzycrumbhunger]

2. I think it's a mistake

SeeBS can’t be saved at this point. Everyone should bail with a scathing declaration the show/network can no longer be trusted—and they should all band together to create a viable alternative—even if it’s only online. To continue the farce would indicate approval, and you KNOW the network isn’t going to tolerate any efforts to interject truth where it might highlight their hypocrisy any more than the show already has.

[Raven123]

3. Someone needs to tell them they are attending a wake

60 Minutes is dead

[CivicGrief]

4. Tools.

[IcyPeas]

5. Scott Pelley said THIS:

“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.

Who can still watch a "news" show that does this?

I think CNN management have given out similar instructions. The bothsiderism is nauseating.

Another tidbit I learned watching a british youtube news show who were discussing the Steve Pelley firing:

CBS News has a partnership agreement with the BBC, meaning news content including video footage can be shared. BBC News is editorially independent of CBS.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62rpdkem0mo

[BootinUp]

6. Weak sauce if you ask me. Nt

[LessAspin]

7. Marc Elias nails it 🎯

The veteran correspondents staying at 60 Minutes are making the same mistake WaPo reporters did. 60 Minutes fate lies with viewers, not Bari Weiss or any internal deal she cut with them.

Viewers will abandon 60 Minutes just as they did WaPo because, for good reason, they no longer trust the owner.

— Marc Elias (@marcelias.bsky.social) 2026-06-05T19:25:04.974Z

60 Minutes, now:

— Asawin Suebsaeng (@swin24.bsky.social) 2026-06-03T12:55:36.966Z

“I’m Kid Rock.”
“I’m Naomi Wolf.”
“I’m Kanye West.”
“I’m Matt Taibbi.”
“I’m Catturd. Those stories, plus Rob Schneider, tonight on 60 Minutes.”

— NY Times Pitchbot (@nytpitchbot.bsky.social) 2026-06-03T17:15:43.500Z