‘60 Minutes’ Criticises Paramount after Bill Owens Resignation over Editorial Pressure

By Evans Momodu, updated 14:54

In a rare moment of on-air candor, CBS News’ 60 Minutes openly criticised its parent company Paramount Global during Sunday’s broadcast, addressing the sudden resignation of longtime executive producer Bill Owens.

Anchor Scott Pelley revealed that Owens decided to leave after Paramount began "supervising content in new ways" amid its ongoing merger negotiations with Skydance Media. Owens felt that the increased corporate oversight compromised the journalistic independence essential to the program’s credibility, Pelley said.

Owens’ departure ends a distinguished 24-year career at 60 Minutes and a 37-year tenure at CBS News. A successor has yet to be named.

Pelley explained that 60 Minutes has historically tackled controversial and politically sensitive stories — including recent reports on Israel’s conflict with Hamas and the Trump administration. Despite maintaining that no stories had been blocked, Pelley emphasized that Owens' decision stemmed from his belief that he could no longer make independent editorial decisions.

"Bill’s resignation was hard on him and hard on us," Pelley said. "He did it for us and for you. In resigning, he proved he was the right leader for 60 Minutes all along."

The broadcast’s critical segment was also widely shared across 60 Minutes' social media channels, with correspondents like Cecilia Vargas, Jon Wertheim, and Anderson Cooper voicing their support.

In his resignation letter, Owens stated that in recent months it became clear he would no longer be allowed to run the show independently. "Having defended this show from every angle, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward," he wrote, stressing the importance of maintaining 60 Minutes' journalistic standards.

The timing of Owens' resignation coincides with declining public trust in media organisations and heightened political pressure. In November, President Donald Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS News and Paramount Global, accusing the network of misrepresenting an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris.

The network ultimately provided the FCC with full transcripts and video of the interview, and a mediator was appointed to oversee the lawsuit proceedings.

Sources close to 60 Minutes told Jake Tapper that Owens fiercely defended the show’s editorial independence, even as corporate pressures mounted. One producer noted that Owens “fought for the broadcast and for independent journalism, and that cost him his job.” Another source described Owens’ resignation as a “sacrifice” aimed at protecting the integrity of 60 Minutes.
Source: CNN 
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