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New “60 Minutes” boss Nick Bilton sought to assure staff that the storied news program would not be subject to corporate interference as he declared that the show’s three remaining correspondents are “core” to its future.
In an internal memo obtained by The Post, Bilton moved to reassure employees after a tumultuous week that saw the firing of veteran correspondent Scott Pelley following a headline-grabbing dustup in which Pelley claimed CBS News Editor-in-chief Bari Weiss was “murdering” the show.
“The foundation of 60 Minutes is its journalistic independence,” Bilton wrote. “We will always pursue stories without fear or favor. We will always make the story the North Star — not relationships nor politics nor anything else.”
In perhaps the clearest response yet to allegations from departing correspondents that management has attempted to influence editorial decisions, Bilton added: “We will never be instructed by the ownership of the company on those stories.”
Bilton’s memo was distributed after The Post reported that Lesley Stahl, the veteran correspondent who has been with the show for more than three decades, was taking part in the filming of a segment for the program.
Stahl’s decision to go out on assignment is fueling speculation inside CBS News that the 84-year-old veteran plans to stay at “60 Minutes” despite the turmoil engulfing the program.
“Lesley was shooting a segment for next season,” one source told The Post. “She must be staying at the company.”
The development comes after last week’s bloodbath claimed correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, executive producer Tanya Simon, senior executive producer Draggan Mihailovich and other senior producers.
The memo came one day after Status reported that the show’s three remaining correspondents — Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim — met privately to discuss their futures following Pelley’s dramatic ouster.
The meeting lasted more than an hour, according to a person briefed on the discussion.
As The Post reported Wednesday, CBS insiders have increasingly speculated that Whitaker and Stahl could follow Pelley out the door amid the escalating turmoil.
“I think Bill is next,” one source close to the network told The Post.
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“Lesley is keeping quiet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she left,” the source added.
Bilton appeared eager to tamp down those concerns.
“I’ve spent a lot of time in conversation with many of you, and especially in consultation with Lesley, Bill and Jon,” he wrote.
“Lesley, Bill and Jon are core to this show’s success.”
The outreach appears to be part of a broader charm offensive by Bilton as he attempts to stabilize a program that has been rocked by weeks of public infighting and allegations of editorial interference.
Bilton also announced that veteran producer Maria Gavrilovic would be elevated to senior producer, a move that was well received by staffers who view her as a respected insider with deep knowledge of the program, according to Status.
The memo represents Bilton’s most extensive effort yet to define his vision for the iconic newsmagazine, which has been engulfed in crisis since CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss launched a sweeping overhaul of the broadcast.
Bilton’s appointment has itself become a source of controversy inside CBS News.
As Page Six Hollywood previously reported, Paramount Skydance chief David Ellison was personally involved in reviewing candidates for the job, ultimately selecting Bilton despite his lack of traditional broadcast news experience.
Bilton, a former New York Times columnist, filmmaker and Vanity Fair contributor, reportedly beat out candidates with more conventional television-news credentials.
He is also said to be earning $2.5 million annually — roughly $1 million more than former executive producer Tanya Simon, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Critics inside CBS News have questioned whether Bilton and Weiss, who likewise came to the network without a television-news background, are equipped to oversee the most prestigious program in broadcast journalism.
Supporters counter that fresh leadership is necessary to modernize the nearly 60-year-old franchise.
Despite concerns among staffers about his lack of traditional television news experience, Bilton sought to emphasize continuity rather than disruption.
“Sunday night works,” he wrote. “It’s the best hour of television journalism anywhere.”
“We’re going to continue to do the things we do that make it so great — the scheduled screenings, the detailed script work, the editing, the long format of the pieces.”
The note landed as concerns about the fallout from the “60 Minutes” shakeup spread beyond CBS News.
Status reported that some Paramount executives privately believe the turmoil is damaging the broader CBS brand.
For now, Bilton’s immediate challenge is convincing the remaining stars of “60 Minutes” that they still have a future at the broadcast.
“Working with them is a privilege and every journalist’s dream,” Bilton wrote of Stahl, Whitaker and Wertheim.
The Post has sought comment from CBS News, Stahl, Whitaker and Wertheim.
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