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5mo ago

Bill Owens Resigns as '60 Minutes' Producer Over Loss of Editorial Independence

Owens steps down after refusing to compromise on journalistic integrity amid Paramount's efforts to settle Trump's $20 billion lawsuit and secure a merger with Skydance.

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.
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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 executive producer in '60 Minutes' history, announced his resignation, citing an inability to maintain editorial independence under mounting pressures.
  • The resignation follows President Trump's $20 billion lawsuit against CBS, alleging deceptive editing of a Kamala Harris interview during the 2024 election campaign.
  • Paramount Global, CBS's parent company, is reportedly pursuing a settlement with Trump to facilitate regulatory approval for its proposed merger with Skydance Media.
  • Owens refused to issue an apology for the Harris segment as part of any settlement, emphasizing his commitment to the program's journalistic standards.
  • The Federal Communications Commission continues its investigation into whether '60 Minutes' violated news distortion rules, adding regulatory scrutiny to the ongoing corporate and political tensions.