'60 Minutes' Producer Resigns Amid Lawsuit, Merger

Bill Owens, the longtime executive producer of CBS's '60 Minutes,' resigned, citing loss of editorial independence following new oversight by parent company Paramount Global amid a proposed merger with Skydance Media that requires Trump administration approval. Anchor Scott Pelley publicly criticized Paramount on-air over the increased supervision, reflecting broader concerns about media independence and corporate influence. The situation is further complicated by a $10 billion lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against CBS and Paramount, alleging deceptive editing of an interview with Kamala Harris. Reports indicate that Paramount is seeking to settle with Trump and secure his administration's signoff for the merger, intertwining the lawsuit with the regulatory process. Owens' resignation, despite no stories being blocked, marks only the third executive producer change in the show's nearly sixty-year history. The developments have reignited debate over journalistic autonomy and press freedom during an era of corporate consolidation and political scrutiny.