'60 Minutes' Executive Producer Bill Owens Resigns After 40 Years at CBS

Bill Owens, the longtime executive producer of CBS News' iconic "60 Minutes" program, has resigned from his position, citing concerns over editorial independence. Owens, who spent 40 years at CBS and over two decades leading the prestigious news magazine, made the decision after what he described as increasing content supervision from parent company Paramount Global.

The resignation was addressed directly on "60 Minutes" in an unusual on-air segment. Correspondent Scott Pelley explained to viewers that Owens departed because "Paramount began to supervise our content in new ways" that compromised the show's journalistic independence.

According to multiple reports, the increased oversight appears connected to Paramount's pending merger with Skydance and a lawsuit from the Trump administration. Sources indicate Paramount is attempting to settle the lawsuit to facilitate the sale, potentially influencing editorial decisions at the network's flagship news program.

Owens' departure marks a significant shift for "60 Minutes," which has long maintained a reputation for editorial independence and investigative journalism. The situation has drawn attention from other journalists, including CNN's Anderson Cooper, who reacted to the sudden exit of his former colleague.