Fired '60 Minutes' correspondents Scott Pelley, Sharyn Alfonsi to teach at Columbia Journalism School

Former "60 Minutes" correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Scott Pelley have joined Columbia Journalism School as "journalists-in-residence," CJR announced Monday. In their role as student mentors — which will extend over the coming academic year — both will "work closely with students ... through lectures, workshops and special events designed to sharpen their reporting, investigative and sourcing skills," according to a statement. The school's dean, Jelani Cobb, said they'll be a key part of the "CJS2030: Democracy Initiative," a schoolwide effort designed to "strengthen ... journalism's role in sustaining democracy."

Both appointments at the nation's most prestigious journalism school are the first post-"60 Minutes" moves by Alfonsi and Pelley, who were fired in late spring by CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss — Pelley after publicly clashing with Weiss and Alfonsi following a blowout with Weiss in May, when her investigative piece on El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center was temporarily shelved. 

After she was let go in late May, Alfonsi, an 11-year "60 Minutes" correspondent, said in a statement: "The wall between editorial independence and corporate interest at CBS is being methodically torn down. Journalists willing to challenge authority are being pushed aside in favor of those who will not. If this continues, the result will be a broadcast that looks like '60 Minutes' but lacks the courage and character to produce journalism that matters."

In her statement announcing her appointment, Alfonsi said, "Joining Columbia University as a Journalist in Residence is an extraordinary privilege, especially at a time when deep, rigorous and fearless reporting has never been more vital. I’m excited to work with the next generation of journalists who are eager to ask the tough questions that hold power accountable."

In his statement, Pelley — who left CBS News after a 37-year run — said, "This is a critical time for a free press. Columbia is leading the way in training the next generation of great journalists and I am honored to join Sharyn in that vital cause."