A senior correspondent at CBS’s “60 Minutes” publicly criticized the show’s parent company, Paramount Global, for exerting editorial influence that he claims compromised the program’s journalistic independence. The controversy erupted following the resignation of Bill Owens, the executive producer of the long-running investigative news show.
During Sunday’s broadcast, veteran journalist Scott Pelley openly addressed the situation, warning viewers about the growing supervision over the program’s content. “Paramount began to supervise our content in new ways. None of our stories has been blocked, but Bill felt he lost the independence that honest journalism requires.
More: Labour Frontbencher Drops Bombshell Warning About Uncertain US-UK Trade Deal
More: Melania and Donald Trump Share Awkward ‘Air Kiss’
No one here is happy about it,” Pelley said during the segment. “But in resigning, Bill proved one thing – he was the right person to lead ‘60 Minutes’ all along.” Owens, who spent 37 years at CBS News — including 25 years at “60 Minutes” — announced his departure last week. In a statement, he explained that it had “become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for ‘60 Minutes,’ right for the audience.”
The resignation comes at a tense moment for CBS, which is embroiled in a high-profile dispute with former President Donald Trump. Trump launched a $20 billion lawsuit against “60 Minutes” last year, alleging the show deceptively edited an interview with his then-rival Kamala Harris. CBS denied any wrongdoing and released the full transcript of the interview to the public, according to The Washington Post.
Adding to the turmoil, Paramount Global is currently seeking regulatory approval from the Trump-influenced administration for a planned merger with Skydance Media. This business backdrop has further fueled concerns about political pressure affecting editorial choices at CBS.
Reports have also surfaced that former CBS News President Susan Zirinsky has been brought in to review “60 Minutes” stories before they are broadcast. The scrutiny intensified after the show aired segments on Ukraine and Greenland earlier this month, which provoked another angry response from Trump.
More: Melania Trump Sparks Wild Body Double Theories After Mysterious Appearance at Pope’s Funeral
More: CNN Forced to Cut Programming as Trump’s Approval Ratings Hit Historic Lows
“Almost every week, 60 Minutes…mentions the name ‘TRUMP’ in a derogatory and defamatory way, but this Weekend’s ‘BROADCAST’ tops them all,” Trump said. He called for Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr to levy “maximum fines and punishment” against CBS for what he described as “unlawful and illegal behavior.”
The developments have unsettled CBS’s newsroom, with staff members expressing deep concerns about the future independence of the iconic news program as the network navigates both corporate pressures and political headwinds.
You Might Also Like:
- Prince William reportedly has no interest in reconciling with Prince Harry
- Heartbreak for Lizzie Kieffer as 12-Month-Old Daughter Dies After Pregnancy Announcement
- Democrats Launch Bombshell Impeachment Drive Against Trump for ‘Tearing Down Democracy’
- “CBS in Chaos: ’60 Minutes’ Boss Quits After Explosive Paramount Takeover Amid Trump Feud
- 29-year-old Woman’s One-Night Stand at Friend’s Wedding Leads to Surprise Twins After Morning After Pill Failure