Tensions Rise at '60 Minutes' Following Bill Owens' Exit Amid Corporate Oversight
Bill Owens resigns as executive producer of '60 Minutes' citing loss of independence, sparking internal concerns over corporate influence from Paramount and ongoing Trump lawsuit.
The move came as Paramount faces a $20 billion lawsuit from President Donald Trump, in which he accused CBS of deceptively editing an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Scott Pelley defends Owens' resignation amid changes at CBS’ ‘60 Minutes’
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But our parent company, Paramount, is trying to complete a merger.
60 Minutes host claims Paramount is trying to curry favor with Trump admin with content changes
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No one here is happy about it, but in resigning, Bill proved one thing: He was the right person to lead 60 Minutes all along.
'60 Minutes' blames Paramount for producer's resignation
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However, a rift has grown between journalists on the show and the corporate owners of CBS, Paramount Global, as leaders of the company seek to sell it to Skydance Media, a merger that needs federal approval.
Host of CBS’s 60 Minutes rebukes corporate owners Paramount on-air
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These disputes arrive against the backdrop of an attempted merger between Paramount, which owns CBS, and Skydance Media, a merger that Carr and the FCC have the power to block.
'60 Minutes' correspondent Scott Pelley calls out parent company Paramount
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Despite this, “60 Minutes” has done tough stories about the Trump administration almost every week since the inauguration in January, many of them reported by Pelley.
On air, '60 Minutes' reporter says 'none of us is happy' about changes that led top producer to quit
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Owens’ decision to step down comes as Americans’ trust in media outlets has hit a low and as outlets find themselves under attack — including frequent jabs from the White House.
‘60 Minutes’ criticizes Paramount on air after its longtime producer quits | Business
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Despite this, “60 Minutes” has done tough stories about the Trump administration almost every week since the inauguration in January, many of them reported by Pelley.
‘60 Minutes’ Scott Pelley Rebukes Paramount for Executive Producer’s Exit in Rare On-Air Call Out
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Summary
Bill Owens has resigned as executive producer of '60 Minutes' after 26 years, citing a loss of independence due to Paramount's new supervision and a contentious merger with Skydance Media. Correspondent Scott Pelley condemned the corporate influence during the program's April 27 episode, highlighting the ongoing $20 billion lawsuit from Donald Trump regarding alleged deceptive editing of an interview with Kamala Harris. Owens emphasized the need for editorial independence, leading to his resignation. Despite internal strife, '60 Minutes' continues to deliver critical coverage of significant political issues, including Trump's administration, amid scrutiny over corporate oversight.
Perspectives
Bill Owens resigned from '60 Minutes' due to feeling a loss of independence amid increased corporate supervision from Paramount Global, which is navigating a merger with Skydance Media that requires approval from the Trump administration.
Scott Pelley acknowledged the challenges posed by corporate oversight, stating that the pressure has affected the quality of journalism, even though no stories have been blocked under the current regime.
Owens’ resignation highlights the ongoing tension between media independence and corporate interests, particularly as the Trump administration's legal actions against CBS add pressure on the network.
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