Scott Pelley

Scott Pelley
Name	Scott Pelley
Birth date	1957
Birth place	San Francisco
Occupation	Journalist, Correspondent, Anchor
Years active	1983–present
Employer	CBS News, CBS Evening News, 60 Minutes

Scott Pelley (born 1957) is an American television journalist and correspondent known for his work with CBS News and his tenure as anchor of the CBS Evening News. He reported for programs such as 60 Minutes, covered major events including the Iraq War and the Haiti earthquake, and interviewed global figures from heads of state to corporate leaders. Pelley's career has spanned broadcast outlets, documentary projects, and print reporting, earning multiple industry awards.

Early life and education

Pelley was born in San Francisco and raised in Texas, attending secondary school in El Paso, Texas. He studied at the Texas Tech University campus system before transferring to and graduating from Texas Tech University with a degree in Journalism and Broadcasting. During his formative years he participated in student media and local newspaper and radio outlets, which led to early placements at regional stations in Texas and the Southwest United States.

Career

Pelley began his professional career at local television stations including outlets in Palo Alto, California, Lubbock, Texas, and St. Louis, Missouri. He joined CBS News in 1989 as a correspondent, later serving as a foreign correspondent based in London, covering events across Europe and the Middle East. Pelley became a principal anchor and correspondent for 60 Minutes and succeeded Katie Couric as anchor of the CBS Evening News in 2011, working alongside executives from ViacomCBS and producers from CBS News Chicago bureaus. During his tenure he managed network coverage of presidential campaigns such as 2012 United States presidential election and international crises like the Syrian Civil War. After stepping down from the nightly anchor role in 2017 he continued as a correspondent for 60 Minutes and contributed investigative reports to programs tied to CBS News investigative unit and documentary teams.

Major reporting and notable interviews

Pelley reported from combat zones including the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan, and from disaster sites such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He covered major political events like the 2000 United States presidential election recount and national security stories involving agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency. Pelley conducted extensive interviews with global leaders including presidents, prime ministers, and cabinet officials from nations represented in institutions like the United Nations General Assembly and the European Union. He also interviewed corporate executives from multinational firms, prominent cultural figures associated with the Academy Awards and Grammy Awards, and investigative subjects tied to major financial scandals referenced by regulators like the Securities and Exchange Commission. His reporting frequently intersected with legal proceedings in courts such as the United States Supreme Court and coverage of events involving the Department of Defense.

Awards and honors

Pelley's work has been recognized with multiple awards, including several Emmy Awards for outstanding investigative reporting, Peabody Awards for excellence in broadcast journalism, and honors from organizations like the Radio Television Digital News Association and the Overseas Press Club. He received journalism prizes linked to coverage of humanitarian crises recognized by groups such as Human Rights Watch and accolades from press associations in states including Texas Press Association. Industry honors also included invitations to speak at institutions such as Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and panels hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations.

Personal life

Pelley resides with family in New York City and maintains connections to communities in Texas. He has balanced on-air duties with roles mentoring students at journalism schools including programs at Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism and engagements with nonprofit media organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists. Outside journalism he has participated in veterans' events associated with the United States Armed Forces and charity initiatives organized by groups like United Way.

Publications and broadcasting style

Pelley has authored long-form pieces for broadcast and contributed to documentary projects distributed by networks including PBS and streaming partners associated with Paramount Global. His reporting style is characterized by in-depth investigative techniques, narrative-driven storytelling used on programs like 60 Minutes II, and on-camera interviewing influenced by predecessors at networks such as NBC News and ABC News. He emphasizes sourcing from primary documents, eyewitness testimony, and corroboration with institutions such as academic centers at Harvard Kennedy School and public records offices. His editorial approach often foregrounds issues of accountability, transparency, and public policy as addressed in panels at think tanks like the Brookings Institution.

Category:American journalists Category:CBS News people