Bill Owens, executive producer of CBS News’ 60 Minutes, announced his resignation, citing a loss of editorial independence after mounting pressure from the network’s parent company and the fallout from a $10 billion lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump.
Owens, only the third person to lead the iconic news magazine in its 57-year history, said in a staff memo that he could no longer “run the show as I have always run it.” He added that it had become clear in recent months that his ability to make independent decisions was being compromised.
“Having defended this show — and what we stand for — from every angle… I am stepping aside so the show can move forward,” Owens wrote in the memo obtained by the New York Times.
His resignation comes in the wake of President Trump’s lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris, which he claims was deceptively edited. The legal battle has placed significant pressure on CBS News and its parent company, Paramount Global.
Sources indicate that Paramount’s controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone, is seeking a settlement in the Trump lawsuit to smooth the path for a potential sale of the company to Skydance Media. Owens, however, reportedly refused to issue an apology as part of any settlement arrangement.
Despite stepping down, Owens assured staff that 60 Minutes will continue to cover the Trump administration and future administrations with the same journalistic integrity. “The show is too important to the country,” he said.
The shake-up raises concerns about growing corporate influence over legacy media and the potential silencing of editorial voices in the face of political and financial pressure.
