Dozens of current and former CBS News and 60 Minutes veterans are sending an open letter to Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, urging him and CBS News management to uphold the show’s editorial independence. The push follows what multiple reports describe as a major shake-up at 60 Minutes and the firing of several top staffers and correspondents.
According to reports, CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and president Tom Cibrowski are tied to the changes, including the ousting of 60 Minutes’ executive producer and executive editor, as well as prominent correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. Alfonsi and Vega have publicly alleged that editorial independence at the program has been compromised for political purposes.
The open letter is described as collecting signatures through an online form and cites concerns that the restructuring threatens fair and independent coverage. Signatories highlighted in coverage include well-known CBS alumni such as Dan Rather. The letter calls on Ellison to ensure the management approach at CBS News respects editorial values and preserves press freedom at 60 Minutes.
