The former managing editor at 60 Minutes, who was fired in May with several other top correspondents, has spoken out about the ouster, saying he and his colleagues were dismissed because they \u201cwould not compromise our principles or reputations by jamming unverifiable notions or White House talking points into our reporting\u201d.<\/p>\n
Guy Campanile, who worked at CBS News for 34 years, said in a private Facebook post obtained by the Guardian on Tuesday that he had held off on commenting about his dismissal right away, having decided it was \u201cwise to remain quiet when emotions are raw\u201d.<\/p>\n
But \u201cafter some time and deep reflection, I am now comfortable and prepared to talk about it\u201d, he wrote in the post.<\/p>\n
Campanile said he, Tanya Simon, Draggan Mihailovich, Matthew Polevoy, Scott Pelley, Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega \u201crefused to be accomplices in the destruction of the most prestigious news programme on American television\u201d.<\/p>\n
The firings took place after the new management of CBS News booted them as part of its overhaul of the venerated show.<\/p>\n
[\u00a0Anderson Cooper to leave 60 Minutes amid turmoil at CBS NewsOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n Of himself and his former colleagues who departed, Campanile wrote: \u201cWe would not compromise our principles or reputations by jamming unverifiable notions or White House talking points into our reporting. We objected when told to conduct interviews arranged by the administration.<\/p>\n \u201cWe insisted on asking the most challenging questions to business and political leaders without fear or favour. We did what reporters worth their salt do \u2013 we questioned authority\u2026 including our own bosses. That\u2019s how the best newsrooms work.\u201d<\/p>\n