Paramount CEO David Ellison Promises '60 Minutes' Independence as $111 Billion Deal Awaits Approval
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 9
Paramount CEO David Ellison Promises '60 Minutes' Independence as $111 Billion Deal Awaits Approval
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 9
Summary
Sunday’s call to Lesley Stahl brought David Ellison’s first direct assurance that “60 Minutes” would keep editorial independence after a shake-up that rattled CBS News.
The pledge was aimed at calming turmoil after the show’s leadership and several star correspondents were fired in an overhaul overseen by editor in chief Bari Weiss.
Monday’s champagne toast at the program’s Manhattan offices showed how fragile morale had become: Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim had debated leaving before deciding they could not “see ‘60 Minutes’ die.”
Ellison’s stewardship has drawn scrutiny since Paramount’s takeover last year because of his ties to President Trump and Paramount’s need for federal approval of its $111 billion Warner Bros. Discovery deal.