Bill Owens, executive producer of 60 Minutes, announced his resignation on Tuesday, saying he no longer had the editorial independence needed to do the job:
In an extraordinary declaration, Mr. Owens — only the third person to run the program in its 57-year history — told his staff in a memo that “over the past months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for ‘60 Minutes,’ right for the audience.”
“So, having defended this show — and what we stand for — from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward,” he wrote in the memo, which was obtained by The New York Times.
“60 Minutes” has faced mounting pressure in recent months from both President Trump, who sued CBS for $10 billion and has accused the program of “unlawful and illegal behavior,” and its corporate ownership at Paramount, the parent company of CBS News.
This decision isn't entirely unexpected, given that Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder of Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS News, and Skydance Media, controlled by entrepreneur David Ellison, have become increasingly desperate to win government approval for the merger of the two companies.
President Trump and other officials in his administration have made it clear the merger won't be approved until the 60 Minutes lawsuit is resolved. However, they notably also haven't said that the resolution of the lawsuit will automatically lead to the merger's approval. In fact, given the Trump Administration's dealings with other organizations seeking a truce, it's almost certain the Administration will return with other "suggestions" ahead of any merger approval.
What will Redstone and Ellison do if the Trump Administration asks for more "conservative" reporters to be added to 60 Minutes? Or that CBS should add a spiffy new Rob Schneider comedy to its primetime lineup?
If those suggestions sound unlikely to you, keep in mind that there have been reports that when executives at Warner Bros. Discovery reached out to the Trump Administration asking for suggestions on how they could make peace, they were told that adding more conservative voices to CNN would be a good start. And maybe throw in a reality series starring famed hunter Donald Trump Jr?
None of this is good news for fans of 60 Minutes, because that show has so far managed to resist the corporate pressure to take it easy on the Trump Administration. But with Bill Owens gone from the network, what can stand in the way of Redstone and others pressuring the show to bend a knee to Donald Trump? Or at the very least, report on anything *except* Donald Trump?
If Americans have learned anything over the past several months, it is that they have a voice. And with enough pressure, even the most unlikely battles can be won. Or at the very least, battled to a draw.
So this is the time when the viewers of 60 Minutes need to stand up for the show. For more than a half-century, this newsmagazine has stood up to bullies and tyrants. It has given a voice to people who didn't have one. It hasn't shied away from controversy, no matter the cost. And now the show needs our help.
What does that look like? I'm no expert on protests or corporate governance. However, here are some ways that I think could at least get the public conversation started.
First, let's see some protests at CBS Headquarters. As many as possible, as frequently as possible. Lots of TV coverage-friendly signs and chanting. Turn this into a story that doesn't go away.
Second, this applies to a smaller subset of readers. But if you are one of the unfortunate people still holding onto Paramount Global stock, sell it. Not just because it puts at least a bit of financial pressure on the company. But also because it seems likely that any effort to rein in the editorial independence of 60 Minutes will have a long-term downward effect on the value of the company.
Third, if you have a subscription to Paramount+, cancel it if you can. Many people don't have that option. They are receiving it as part of a bundle with their cellphone account and removing the streamer can be tough. But if you are able to do so, cancel the streamer. David Ellison has said he sees Paramount's streaming future as a core part of the new business. So lowering overall subscriber numbers is something that has both an immediate and long-term effect on the company.
Fourth, I would like to see industry reporters help keep this story alive. Paramount Global is expected to report Q1 2025 earnings after the market closes on Thursday, May 8th. The wrangling over 60 Minutes should be part of that news coverage. I'd also like to see reporters asking news executives and reporters from other networks what they think about the changes at 60 Minutes and their opinions about the need for editorial independence at any news organization.
I am sure I am missing some other obvious pressure points. But these suggestions are a start and they are the least we can do to help support a newsmagazine who has fought for us for 57 years.
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