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Firings at CBS’ ‘60 Minutes’ reflect the fight for media control in the age of Trump

npr.org · David Folkenflik · last updated

The show’s new leader says he fired star Scott Pelley for insubordination. Pelley says he was defending the integrity of the show’s journalism after three top executives and two reporters were fired.

When CBS fired Scott Pelley on Tuesday night, the new 60 Minutes executive producer, Nick Bilton, told Pelley it was for insubordination at a staff meeting the day before.

The veteran correspondent argues he was defending the DNA of 60 Minutes and the integrity of its journalism.

The battle royale over the network’s most prestigious and profitable news program is part of a broader fight over the direction of CBS News.

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