Veteran correspondents Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim have announced their decision to remain with CBS’s *60 Minutes*, despite a period of significant upheaval at the long-running news program.

Their commitment comes after the recent firings of several senior correspondents and top producers, which has led to widespread concern about the show's future direction.

This development is significant as it indicates a desire by some of the show's most recognizable faces to actively shape its future amidst internal turmoil.

In a joint statement released Friday, the trio acknowledged their struggle with the decision, stating, “We have had a hard time deciding whether to stay … We don’t want to see *60 Minutes* die.

We have been grieving because this whole mess has wounded and damaged the broadcast.” They concluded their statement with a clear intention: “We want to stay and fight.”

The announcement follows a series of controversial personnel changes at *60 Minutes*.

Last Thursday, CBS News ousted correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, along with producers Tanya Simon, Draggan Mihailovich, and Matthew Polevoy, as part of a comprehensive restructuring.

The situation escalated on Tuesday evening with the termination of veteran correspondent Scott Pelley, who was reportedly fired for "cause" after a contentious meeting with new executive producer Nick Bilton and managing editor Charles Forelle.

During that meeting, Pelley reportedly criticized Bari Weiss, the network’s new editor-in-chief, stating, “She’s murdering *60 Minutes*.

She does not love this place.

She was brought in to kill it and is doing exactly that.” The correspondents’ statement on Friday reiterated their distress over the firings, particularly those of Simon and Mihailovich, whom they described as “strong leaders who everyone respected.” They suggested these individuals were “expelled because they fought for our *60 Minutes* values and stood up to protect our independence and integrity.”

Addressing their decision to stay, Stahl, Whitaker, and Wertheim clarified, “We feared that our returning might be construed as an endorsement of the existing power structure.

That is simply, categorically not the case.” They expressed a desire to “try and repair and preserve our reputation by continuing the Mike Wallace tradition of hold their feet to the fire.”

An insider told The Guardian that the correspondents chose to stay to support their colleagues, many of whom cannot afford to leave.

The insider characterized their decision as “an act of self-sacrifice, really, and of generosity,” and a vote for the survival of *60 Minutes*.

The correspondents also referenced a memo issued by Nick Bilton on Thursday, which promised “journalistic independence” and stated, “We will always pursue stories without fear or favor.” They acknowledged, “We heard all the right things in yesterday’s ‘independence’ memo.

It went a long way, and now we need to see these commitments to our process and procedures put into action.” They concluded with a conditional commitment: “If we can continue doing the work that made this show what it is – committing acts of independent, fearless journalism and storytelling – we’re here for it.

If not, we leave.”

Lesley Stahl, 84, has been with CBS News since 1971 and *60 Minutes* since 1991.

Bill Whitaker, 74, joined CBS News in 1984 and *60 Minutes* in 2014.

Jon Wertheim is also a prominent figure on the program.