CBS Fires ’60 Minutes’ Correspondent Scott Pelley

CBS News has terminated long-time ’60 Minutes’ correspondent Scott Pelley. This decision followed a newsroom dispute where Pelley accused Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss of jeopardizing the program. He also criticized the credentials of newly appointed executive producer Nick Bilton.

In related news, former ABC News field producer Samira Said filed a lawsuit against CBS News chief correspondent Matt Gutman, ABC News, The Walt Disney Co., and an ABC bureau chief. The lawsuit alleges that Gutman made inappropriate comments, contributing to a hostile work environment.

“While the team waited in a public queue during the assignment, Gutman initiated a discussion rating a female correspondent’s appearance and reducing her professional standing to a numerical score based on her physical attributes,” the complaint stated.

The dispute extended to a movie-release press event where Gutman allegedly made a remark suggesting Said had other commitments, reducing her professional judgment to a stereotype.

Said’s lawsuit claims broader discrimination by ABC and Disney, stating she faced retaliation, insufficient medical accommodations, and wrongful termination. Despite suffering COVID-19 symptoms, she was assigned to cover the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, leading to severe psychological distress. A psychiatrist cleared her to return with accommodations, but then-bureau chief David Herndon allegedly denied a restricted schedule.

Eventually, Said was reassigned to less favorable roles and later fired in what was described as a routine meeting in March 2025. She seeks compensatory damages, legal fees, and a jury trial. The claims remain unresolved.

Gutman, who joined CBS from ABC in January, was appointed by news editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. He contributes to ‘CBS Mornings,’ ‘CBS Evening News,’ ’48 Hours,’ and ’60 Minutes.’

Weiss has praised Gutman’s dedication and reporting skills, stating, “Matt Gutman goes there. He brings the audience along with him to whatever story he is covering.”

Attempts to get comments from Disney and CBS have yet to receive a response.