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5d ago

Bill Owens Resigns as '60 Minutes' Executive Producer Over Editorial Independence Concerns

Owens cites mounting political and corporate pressures, including Trump's $20 billion lawsuit and Paramount's merger ambitions, as factors undermining his ability to lead the program.

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FILE - Bill Owens takes part in a panel discussion at the Showtime Winter TCA Tour at the Langham Huntington Hotel on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif.
This June 2022 photo shows, Bill Owens, the executive producer of 60 Minutes, in Toronto, Canada.
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Overview

  • Bill Owens, the third-ever executive producer of '60 Minutes,' announced his resignation, citing a loss of journalistic independence after 37 years at CBS News.
  • Owens' departure follows ongoing legal and regulatory challenges, including a $20 billion lawsuit from Donald Trump alleging deceptive editing of a Kamala Harris interview.
  • Paramount Global, CBS's parent company, is in settlement talks with Trump as it seeks FCC approval for an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media.
  • CBS News President Wendy McMahon reaffirmed the network's commitment to '60 Minutes,' praising Owens' integrity and contributions to the program's legacy.
  • Legal experts have widely dismissed Trump's lawsuit as frivolous, emphasizing First Amendment protections, while the FCC investigates claims of news distortion.