đ¨Â CBS NEWS EXPLOSION: Scott Pelley SLAMS Paramount LIVE on â60 MinutesââWhat Forced the Legendary Host to Break His Silence?
In an unprecedented on-air rebuke, CBS News correspondent Scott Pelley condemned the networkâs parent company, Paramount Global, for compromising editorial independence. This rare public criticism followed the resignation of â60 Minutesâ executive producer Bill Owens, who cited increased corporate interference amid Paramountâs merger efforts with Skydance Media.
đ°Â The Resignation That Shook CBS
On April 22, 2025, Bill Owens, a 37-year veteran of CBS News and executive producer of â60 Minutesâ since 2019, announced his resignation. In a poignant memo, Owens expressed that he could no longer make independent decisions based on what was right for the show and its audience, attributing this to intensified oversight from Paramount Global .
Owensâ departure was precipitated by mounting pressures linked to a $20 billion defamation lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit alleges that â60 Minutesâ deceptively edited an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris to sway public opinion in her favor .
đď¸Â Scott Pelleyâs Rare On-Air Rebuke
In a rare move, Scott Pelley addressed Owensâ resignation during the âLast Minuteâ segment of â60 Minutesâ on April 27, 2025. Pelley acknowledged the showâs history of tackling controversial topics, such as the Israel-Gaza conflict and the Trump administration, and praised Owens for ensuring these stories were accurate and fair. He noted that while Paramount had not blocked any stories, the increased supervision led Owens to feel he had lost the independence that honest journalism requires .
âď¸Â Paramountâs Merger and Political Pressures
Paramount Global is currently navigating a complex merger with Skydance Media, valued at $8 billion. The deal requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is under scrutiny due to its ties to the Trump administration. This merger has intensified tensions within CBS News, as corporate leaders are reportedly exerting greater control over editorial content to avoid jeopardizing the deal .
The situation has raised concerns about the erosion of press freedoms in the United States, with critics arguing that corporate and political pressures are undermining journalistic integrity .
đ The Broader Implications
The turmoil at â60 Minutesâ serves as a microcosm of broader challenges facing the media industry. The intersection of corporate mergers, political influence, and journalistic independence highlights the fragile state of press freedoms. As media consolidation continues, the need for robust protections for editorial autonomy becomes increasingly urgent.
đşÂ Watch the Segment
For a firsthand account of Scott Pelleyâs remarks, watch the segment below:
