New 60 Minutes head's attempt to rehire fired high-profile editor flops: report

Embattled "60 Minutes" executive editor Nick Bilton attempted to stanch the bleeding at CBS's popular newsmagazine by offering a popular executive editor his job back after he was fired by CBS News head Bari Weiss — only to be turned down.

According to media watchdog Status, Bilton — struggling to right the ship after Weiss's catastrophic purge — reached out to Draggan Mihailovich in a bid to heal the wounds from what staffers have dubbed "Black Thursday."

The mass firing that day created a front-page firestorm for the network and sparked fears the show might not return in the fall.

Bilton initially signaled openness to reconciliation. Last week, he sent a memo praising the show's remaining correspondents —Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim — as "core" to the program's success. He appointed Maria Gavrilovic, a highly respected producer who spent years working closely with Scott Pelley, as his deputy. And he promised a rattled staff, "We will never be instructed by ownership of the company" on which stories to pursue.

According to Status founder Oliver Darcy, Bilton was encouraged by Stahl and Wertheim, and asked if Mihailovich would consider returning. The move would require approval from Weiss, but Bilton signaled genuine interest in bringing the well-regarded executive editor back.

Mihailovich declined.

According to the report, his refusal signals the depth of the institutional damage inflicted by Weiss's purge.

Even more troubling, Darcy is reporting, Weiss's meddling appears far from over. Status reported that Weiss this week held a meeting with Bilton to brainstorm story ideas for "60 Minutes" — a clear indication that her interference in editorial decisions continues despite promises of autonomy.

"60 Minutes" has long operated with unusual independence within CBS, a boundary fiercely protected by correspondents and producers," according to Status.

"Reportedly former Executive Producer Bill Owens quit when he felt corporate interference under then-boss Shari Redstone had grown intolerable. If Weiss continues inserting herself into editorial decision-making, it directly contradicts assurances CBS owner David Ellison offered to Stahl about the program's autonomy."