Executive producer of 60 Minutes resigns amid supervision concerns
- Bill Owens stepped down as executive producer of 60 Minutes amid increasing corporate supervision over content.
- The supervision was linked to Paramount Global's merger negotiations, which triggered deeper scrutiny on CBS News.
- Scott Pelley lamented Owens' departure, emphasizing the importance of independence in journalism.
In the United States, the longstanding executive producer of CBS's renowned news program 60 Minutes, Bill Owens, resigned recently amidst growing corporate supervision. Scott Pelley, a prominent correspondent for 60 Minutes, expressed regret for Owens' departure during a recent telecast, emphasizing that the newsroom team is dissatisfied with increasing oversight from Paramount Global. Owens, who had a nearly 40-year career, highlighted in his resignation memo that he no longer felt empowered to make independent decisions vital for the integrity of the show. This change coincides with Paramount’s efforts to finalize a merger with Skydance Media, which has drawn scrutiny due to ongoing litigation against CBS from former President Donald Trump related to an alleged biased interview with now-Vice President Kamala Harris. The lawsuit, claiming $20 billion in damages, has prompted increased scrutiny on CBS and its programming, influencing Owens’s choice to step down after years of maintaining an independent journalistic ethos. Pelley mentioned that while stories haven’t been outright blocked, the perceived loss of independence sharply contrasted with the original values of the program.