Sharyn Alfonsi, a longtime correspondent for CBS News' '60 Minutes,' announced her departure from the network after her contract was not renewed. Alfonsi, 54, stated that her contract expired over the weekend, ending nearly 20 years with CBS, including over a decade at '60 Minutes.'
The departure follows an editorial dispute over the segment 'Inside CECOT,' which detailed the Trump administration's treatment of Venezuelan migrants deported to an El Salvador prison known for harsh conditions. The segment was scheduled to air on Dec. 22 but was pulled the day before by CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss, who believed it needed more reporting, including a direct on-camera response from the administration, which did not participate.
Alfonsi protested the decision to hold the story, and her representatives made repeated attempts to negotiate a path forward, which were met with silence from network executives. CBS News declined to comment on Alfonsi's remarks. Producers who worked with Alfonsi have been reassigned to other correspondents.
The departure comes as '60 Minutes' anticipates significant changes, including the announced departure of Anderson Cooper after 20 seasons. Alfonsi's exit is seen by some as a sign of broader shifts within the network's editorial direction.