Paramount CEO Ellison Tells Lesley Stahl ’60 Min. Will Be Independent

Paramount CEO David Ellison recently vowed to “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl that the newsmagazine would have “editorial independence,” according to three people familiar with the matter, the latest sign the media conglomerate is trying to tamp down tensions around the venerable program in the wake of a recent ouster of its top producers and half its on-air staff.

Stahl told “60 Minutes” staffers on Monday that David Ellison had reached out to her and vowed the program woudl retain its independence, according to the two people. He also apologized for some of the recent tumult around the show, these people confirmed.

The Guardian and The New York Times previously reported details about the conversation between Ellison and Stahl. Paramount declined to make executives available for comment.

CBS News in late May ousted much of the senior management of “60 Minutes,” a flagship CBS property and one of journalism’s crown jewels. Nearly two weeks ago, CBS News fired Tanya Simon, the executive producer of “60 Minutes”; Draggan Mihailovich, the show’s executive editor; correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega; and senior producers Guy Campanile and Matthew Polevoy. Within days, Scott Pelley was also dispatched, following verbal sparring with the show’s new leader, Nick Bilton. The program, the most-watched news show in the U.S., is left with just three correspondents and a need to get stories ready to go for fall.