Moments before Santiago Campos took the stage at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards in New York City to accept a CBS News-funded scholarship in front of some of the most powerful people in TV news, veteran \u201c60 Minutes\u201d correspondent Scott Pelley took the time to offer the high school senior some advice. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe told me not to leave the stage immediately after doing my remarks to stand there,\u201d Campos recalled. \u201cLet it all soak in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pelley appeared to follow his own advice as he introduced Campos to accept the Mike Wallace Memorial Scholarship, first recognizing fellow \u201c60 Minutes\u201d correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi from her seat in the audience before describing the teenager as \u201cpassionate, careful, and hands-on.\u201d <\/p>\n
Then, after yielding the podium to Campos, the legendary journalist stood close as Campos used his speech to criticize CBS News\u2019 direction under Paramount Skydance owner David Ellison and editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, which he viewed as a threat to journalistic independence. In his speech, he said \u201cthe recent direction of the outlet stains the legacy of Mike Wallace,\u201d referring to the scholarship\u2019s legendary CBS News namesake, and spoke out against \u201ccorporate elites\u201d taking over journalism.<\/p>\n
After his 90-second speech, Pelley put his arm around Campos and shook his hand in front of the applauding crowd, before telling the teenager: \u201cWe need young people like you right behind us.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI know that Mike Wallace is looking down on you with pride at this very moment,\u201d Pelley added.<\/p>\n
The 18-year-old high school senior from the Washington, D.C., area told NBC News that at the time he wondered whether Pelley knew about his speech. Days later, after Pelley was fired amid escalating turmoil at CBS News, the exchange took on new significance.<\/p>\n
In the days after the Emmys, Alfonsi confirmed that her CBS News deal had expired, and several other key senior staff members were also let go. Tensions between \u201c60 Minutes\u201d staffers and management reached an all-time high during a Monday meeting to introduce executive producer Nick Bilton, where Pelley openly challenged leadership and accused Weiss of \u201cmurdering\u201d the storied newsmagazine that debuted in 1968. <\/p>\n
The next day, Pelley was fired after a nearly 40-year run at CBS News. <\/p>\n
Pelley\u2019s departure has left \u201c60 Minutes,\u201d which just ended its 58th season, in limbo as staffers grapple with questions about the program\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
The show\u2019s employees now feel \u201ccompletely adrift\u201d and are struggling with \u201cgreat uncertainty\u201d about what might happen to the three remaining full-time correspondents, Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim, a source with direct knowledge of the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity previously told NBC News. (Stahl, Whitaker and Wertheim have not publicly commented on Pelley\u2019s ouster.)<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Weiss tried to temper fears and explain the decision to fire Pelley in a call with network employees, saying newsroom leaders could not \u201cfind a way back\u201d with the veteran journalist. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hope I speak, I know I speak for myself, and I hope I speak for everyone here when I say that I\u2019m only interested in working in a newsroom that is built on trust and mutual respect. We cannot do our work without it,\u201d Weiss told CBS News employees Wednesday. <\/p>\n
Pelley, however, rejected that characterization in a statement and insisted that at no point during his Tuesday meeting did anyone \u201csuggest that there could be steps taken by either side that would lead to a resolution.\u201d<\/p>\n
CBS News spokespeople did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Pelley\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n
Noting that he felt compelled to make his own now-viral speech because he believed that his silence about CBS \u201cwould be complicit about what\u2019s going on,\u201d Campos called Pelley\u2019s decision to speak out the \u201cright thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think a lot of people can misinterpret the outcome as something, something negative and something to be afraid of,\u201d Campos said. \u201cI think he did what the situation demanded of him and faced the consequences. Even if the consequences were not just.\u201d <\/p>\n
The teenager, who is set to attend Georgetown University in the Fall, added that Pelley\u2019s comments should embolden CBS staffers to \u201cfight for a greater cause.\u201d When asked about his scholarship, Campos added that \u201cthe money is basically secured\u201d and does not believe \u201cCBS has any way of pulling a scholarship.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFear is understandable, but it\u2019s not an acceptable excuse to be complicit in what\u2019s going on,\u201d Campos added. \u201cThey need to put their jobs on the line in order fight for a change in a greater cause.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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