Overview
- CBS installed former New York Times tech columnist Nick Bilton as executive producer on Thursday and removed longtime executive producer Tanya Simon from the role.
- The network also fired correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega and ousted executive editor Draggan Mihailovich as part of the same shake-up.
- Alfonsi’s contract lapsed over the Memorial Day weekend and she publicly accused CBS leadership of penalizing her after an editorial dispute over her CECOT investigation into deportees held in an El Salvador prison.
- Alfonsi has retained attorney Bryan Freedman and is preparing possible legal action or negotiations, which sources say could lead to a courtroom fight or a settlement.
- Staffers and industry observers say the purge, which follows Paramount/Skydance leadership changes, risks eroding 60 Minutes’ investigative independence and could alter the program’s format, reputation, and talent lineup going forward.