FCC's Carr: Pelley, Journalists 'Out of Touch'

FCC Chair Brendan Carr criticizes veteran journalist Scott Pelley as emblematic of legacy media's disconnect, responding to Pelley's expressed surprise at his recent firing from CBS' "60 Minutes."

In a post on X, Carr stated: “One of the reasons why trust in media is so low is because many legacy journalists are completely out of touch.” He added that Pelley's attitude revealed how “blind some are” to workplace norms, noting that such behavior “could not get away with that... at any run of the mill job.”

The remarks came after Pelley, a longtime "60 Minutes" correspondent, told The New York Times in a profile that his ousting “hadn't occurred” to him — describing it as “the furthest thing from my mind.” Pelley was fired this week following a heated meeting with the show's new executive producer, Nick Bilton, amid broader changes at CBS under new ownership.

Pelley, 68, was terminated Tuesday after clashing with Bilton over the direction of the iconic news program. Reports indicate the meeting involved insubordination concerns, with Pelley questioning Bilton's qualifications and recent staffing decisions. Pelley later issued a statement accusing the network of trying to “curry a moment of favor with the Trump administration” by sidelining longtime talent.

The dismissal is part of larger shifts at CBS following its acquisition by a new owner, including reported concessions to regulators and efforts to address perceived bias. Carr, as FCC chairman, has been involved in overseeing related media deals but stated the agency has no plans to investigate bias claims tied to the firings.

Carr's response highlights ongoing tensions between Trump-era regulators and traditional media outlets. He has previously argued that legacy journalists often fail to reflect broader public sentiments, contributing to declining trust in mainstream news. Pelley's surprise, in Carr's view, underscores a sense of entitlement among some in the industry.