CBS staff send open letter to David Ellison over 60 Minutes hire

TV professionals quickly composed an open letter to Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison after CBS News boss Bari Weiss hired former Vanity Fair writer Nick Bilton to head “60 Minutes.” The letter, circulated as a Google form to gather signatures, begins: “We, the undersigned, urge you and your management team at CBS News to uphold the principle of editorial independence that has made ’60 Minutes’ — in the words of the show’s new executive producer — ‘the most important television journalism brand this country has ever produced.'” It echoes Bilton’s recent comments about modernizing the show, warning that “Modernizing the show for new audiences and new delivery approaches is important — but not at the cost of editorial integrity.” The letter adds that “The wholesale dismissal of editorial management, without a public pledge to maintain the values, standards, and traditions of this program, puts the legacy of ’60 Minutes’ in jeopardy.” So far it’s unclear who has signed, but the letter could surface this week if it attracts support.

cbs, 60 minutes, david ellison, bari weiss, nick bilton, skydance, editorial independence, editorial integrity, open letter, google form