Former "60 Minutes" correspondent Steve Kroft said the current direction of the program under CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss is "disastrous."
This critique from a veteran journalist highlights internal turmoil at one of the most prestigious news programs in the U.S. The friction centers on recent leadership decisions that have resulted in the firing of longtime staff and high-profile anchors.
Kroft, who is 80 years old [1], specifically pointed to the firing of veteran anchor Scott Pelley and other staff members as a cause for concern. He said these personnel changes were "journalistic interference" [2].
According to reports, the program is in turmoil following the departure of Pelley [3]. Kroft's comments suggest a belief that the editorial independence of the show is being compromised by the current administration at CBS News.
"I think it's been disastrous," Kroft said [4].
The former correspondent's public condemnation marks a rare instance of a former "60 Minutes" insider criticizing the internal management of the show so bluntly. The tension reflects a broader conflict between the traditional standards of the program and the new leadership's approach to the newsroom.
Kroft's assertions link the removal of established journalists to a shift in the program's fundamental operation. He said that the recent firings represent more than just administrative changes—they are an intervention in the journalistic process [2].
“"I think it's been disastrous."”
The public rift between Steve Kroft and Bari Weiss indicates a significant ideological or professional clash at the top of CBS News. By labeling the firings as 'interference,' Kroft is arguing that the editorial integrity of '60 Minutes' is being sacrificed for a specific leadership agenda, potentially altering the program's legacy of independent reporting.
