In a surprising turn of events, the latest episode of CBS’s “60 Minutes” revealed that Bill Owens, the executive producer of the long-running newsmagazine show, has decided to depart. This decision comes as Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS News, has been exerting more control over the editorial processes of the show, particularly as it investigates important issues such as the war in the Gaza region and the impact of President Trump’s policies on Americans.
During the show’s “Last Minute” segment, correspondent Scott Pelley disclosed that Owens felt he had lost the independence necessary for honest journalism due to Paramount’s increased supervision of the show’s content. This rare instance of internal criticism sheds light on the tensions between “60 Minutes” personnel and the parent company’s management.
Owens, who has been only the third executive producer in the show’s nearly six-decade history, cited the lack of autonomy to make decisions that were in the best interest of the show and its audience as the reason for his departure. Paramount Global’s efforts to resolve a lawsuit filed against CBS News by President Trump, as well as its pending merger with Skydance Media, have added further pressure on the show’s editorial independence.
The lawsuit filed by President Trump alleged that “60 Minutes” had misled viewers by airing two different edits of an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2020 election campaign. While CBS has sought to dismiss the case, legal experts have questioned its legal standing.
As the future of “60 Minutes” remains uncertain amidst these challenges, viewers can expect more developments to unfold in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story.
