‘60 Minutes’ Calls Out Its Parent Company Paramount Over Editorial Oversight

On Sunday night’s 60 Minutes, correspondent Scott Pelley honored recently resigned Executive Producer Bill Owens — and used the moment to publicly call out the show’s corporate owner, Paramount Global.

The Context:

Owens, only the third executive producer in 60 Minutes’ 57-year history, stepped down last week. He cited increasing interference from corporate leadership as the reason he could no longer do his job with the editorial independence he felt was essential to the program’s integrity.

Paramount Global is currently pursuing a high-stakes merger with Skydance Media — a deal that requires approval from the Trump administration. That context appears to have influenced how the company is handling its news division.

What Pelley Said:

On-air, Pelley delivered a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of the tension at CBS News.

“Paramount began to supervise our content in new ways,” Pelley said. “None of our stories have been blocked, but Bill felt he lost the independence that honest journalism required.”

Pelley said Owens’ resignation wasn’t easy — for him or for the team — but it was an act of principle.

“He did it for us — and for you,” Pelley said. “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.”

Behind the Scenes:

Former CBS News President Susan Zirinsky has reportedly been brought in to review stories before they air — a new layer of oversight. Despite this, 60 Minutes has continued to air critical stories about the Trump administration, including Sunday’s report on funding cuts at the National Institutes of Health.

The tension between CBS and the Trump administration escalated earlier this year when former President Donald Trump sued 60 Minutes for $20 billion, accusing the show of editing a Kamala Harris interview in her favor. The show’s producers — including Owens — have denied any wrongdoing and have resisted settling the case.

The Bigger Picture:

Pelley’s remarks were a rare moment of transparency in primetime television, exposing corporate influence on journalism and the pressure newsrooms face during politically sensitive times.

“Bill was with CBS News for nearly 40 years — 26 of those at 60 Minutes,” Pelley said. “He covered the world, covered combat, the White House. His was a quest to open minds, not close them. If you’ve ever worked hard for a boss because you admired them, then you understand what we’ve enjoyed here.