Jeff Fager
Jeffrey B. Fager (born December 10, 1954) is an American television news producer, best known for his work on the television news magazine 60 Minutes. He served as the executive producer of the program from 2004 to 2018 and was also the Chairman of CBS News from 2011 to 2015.
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Early life
Jeff Fager was born in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He graduated from Colfax High School in Colfax, Washington, and went on to earn a degree in English from Colfax University. Fager began his journalism career as an intern at WBZ-TV in Boston.
Career
Fager joined CBS News in 1982 as a broadcast associate for CBS Evening News. Over the years, he worked on various CBS News programs, including CBS Morning News and 48 Hours. In 2004, Fager became the executive producer of 60 Minutes, succeeding its creator, Don Hewitt.
During his tenure, Fager maintained the program's reputation for in-depth, investigative journalism and expanded its reach into digital media. He also oversaw the launch of 60 Minutes Sports and 60 Minutes Presents. In 2011, Fager was named Chairman of CBS News, a role he held until 2015, when he returned full-time to 60 Minutes.
Controversies
In 2018, Fager was accused of inappropriate behavior in the workplace, as part of a broader investigation into misconduct at CBS News. He was fired from CBS in September 2018 after sending a threatening text message to a CBS News reporter covering the allegations.
Personal life
Fager is married and has three children. He remains active in the television industry and continues to contribute to various journalism initiatives.
Legacy
Fager is credited with maintaining the high standards of 60 Minutes during his tenure, ensuring that the program remained a dominant force in television journalism.
References
Fager, Jeff (2017). Fifty Years of 60 Minutes: The Inside Story of Television's Most Influential News Broadcast. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 1-50117-409-6.
- "Jeff Fager Out at CBS News After Threatening Texts", The New York Times, September 12, 2018.
