JUST IN: Scott Pelley just released a follow up statement responding to Bari Weiss’s blatant dishonesty surrounding the circumstances of his departure. Read in full below:
I'm saddened to see the transcript of the CBS News morning editorial meeting.
Bari Weiss knows what she said is not true.
In the meeting on Tuesday, in which I was effectively fired, there was no effort of any kind to "find a way back," as Weiss said in the editorial meeting.
At no point did anyone in the Tuesday meeting suggest that there could be steps taken by either side that would lead to resolution. Weiss and Tom Cibrowski were openly hostile from the start. "Firing" was raised by Cibrowski in the first 15 seconds.
No CBS executive, at any time, suggested "a way back." To say so now is disingenuous. And they know it.
In fact, Weiss, Cibrowski, and Nick Bilton refused to answer my questions. I asked Weiss a number of questions about why she fired the entire senior staff of 60 Minutes a few days before and without cause.
"I'm not answering that question," she said.
I asked why she did not come to 60 Minutes' offices to explain her actions.
"I'm not answering that question."
Why did she fire 60 Minutes Executive Producer Tanya Simon?
"I'm not answering that question."
Why fire correspondent Cecilia Vega?
"I'm not answering that question."
Why fire correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi?
"I'm not answering that question."
Throughout the meeting, the CBS executives were abrupt, dismissive, and uninterested in dialogue. Suddenly, and to my surprise, Cibrowski declared, "This conversation is over!"
"Why?" I asked. "I'm happy to answer your questions."
"This conversation is over!" Cibrowski repeated, raising his voice and standing to show me the door.
"I'm happy to keep talking," I added.
No constructive dialogue was allowed by the CBS executives at any point. I was stonewalled for about 10 minutes and then, for no apparent reason, "This conversation is over."
I am pained that the staff of CBS News was misled in the Wednesday morning conference call. These executives cannot gain the trust of the staff with lies. This is antithetical to everything we stand for and reveals contempt for what journalists do.
Props to Pelley! He's showing us that journalism in America still has a spine.
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