India, June 2 -- A staff meeting at 60 Minutes turned tense on Monday when correspondent Scott Pelley openly challenged newly appointed executive producer Nick Bilton over recent changes at the CBS news program. Bilton remained calm throughout the exchange and repeatedly defended his decision to take on the role despite growing opposition from staff members.

The Monday morning meeting at 60 Minutes' Midtown Manhattan headquarters was meant to be a simple introduction. Bilton, a tech journalist and filmmaker with no traditional broadcast news experience, had just been appointed executive producer as part of a major shake-up at the show. CBS had fired previous executive producer Tanya Simon, her deputy and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and...