Dan Rather, Lowell Bergman and dozens of other journalists sent a Monday letter to CBS News CEO David Ellison urging him to protect press freedom and the editorial independence of “60 Minutes” after Skydance acquired Paramount, CBS News and the show.
Dan Rather didn’t mince words on Monday. Alongside Lowell Bergman and dozens of other journalists, he urged CBS News CEO David Ellison to protect the freedom of the press after Skydance acquired Paramount, CBS News and “60 Minutes.”
The letter presses Ellison’s team to honor what the journalists call a legal duty that came with the deal—stressing a responsibility to serve the public interest. avoid political interference and maintain editorial independence. The writers point to “60 Minutes” itself as a benchmark. referencing how the show’s new executive producer described it as “the most important television journalism brand this country has ever produced.”.
They also argue that “modernizing the show for new audiences and new delivery approaches” cannot come at the cost of “editorial integrity.” In their view. the situation has become sharper because they say there’s been a “wholesale dismissal of editorial management. ” without a public pledge to maintain the program’s values. standards and traditions.
For the journalists, the stakes go far beyond one newsroom. They wrote that the future of “60 Minutes” is on the line—and tied that to something broader: “the future of free and independent press in America.”
CBS News was contacted for comment by TheWrap.
The push landed the same day “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley reportedly accused editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of trying to “murder” the newsmagazine while publicly questioning new executive producer Nick Bilton during a Monday meeting as he took over.
More to come…
Dan Rather David Ellison CBS News 60 Minutes Lowell Bergman Skydance Paramount press freedom editorial independence Bari Weiss Nick Bilton Scott Pelley
Dan Rather still kicking, respect I guess.
So Skydance bought everything and now 60 Minutes is gonna get dumbed down? I didn’t even know companies could do that without changing the whole show.
I’m confused though because if journalists wrote a “legal duty” with the deal, why isn’t there already a contract clause being followed? Sounds like they’re just asking nicely while the big execs do whatever. Also Bari Weiss being called out like that makes it seem personal, not “press freedom.”
Not gonna lie, I saw a clip about Pelley and that “murder the newsmagazine” thing and I was like… ok this is drama. But then the article is saying it’s about editorial independence and “modernizing,” which feels like corporate talk for “fire whoever.” If they replace editorial management wholesale, that’s basically the end of 60 Minutes as we know it. Like what does “protect press freedom” even mean when the owner changes? Money talks, period.