NEW YORK (Diya TV) — Bill Owens, the longtime executive producer of CBS News’ 60 Minutes, announced his resignation on Tuesday, citing concerns over editorial independence and a loss of control over the iconic news program.
Owens, who has spent 37 years at CBS News — including 24 with 60 Minutes — told staff in an internal memo that recent months had made it clear he could no longer operate the show the way he believed it should be run.
“Over the past months, it has also 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,” Owens wrote in a memo obtained by Reuters. “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.”
The announcement comes amid ongoing scrutiny and a legal battle involving CBS and former President Donald Trump. In October 2024, Trump filed a $20 billion lawsuit against the network, accusing it of deceptively editing a 60 Minutes interview with Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump alleged the segment unfairly favored Harris in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.
CBS News has denied the allegations and later released the full transcript of the interview to support its position. The network has stood by its reporting, maintaining that no preferential editing took place.
Earlier this month, the case entered mediation. Still, tensions have remained high. Just last week, Trump again criticized 60 Minutes, claiming it aired two inaccurate stories about him and calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to investigate.
The FCC is currently reviewing whether the Harris interview violated “news distortion” rules, though the agency is legally barred from censoring media content under the First Amendment. However, broadcasters are prohibited from intentionally distorting news content.
The legal case and FCC review come at a pivotal time for CBS’ parent company, Paramount Global, which is seeking regulatory approval for an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. The transaction requires FCC approval due to the transfer of CBS’s broadcast licenses. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr stated in February that the complaint involving 60 Minutes could play a role in the agency’s decision-making process. The review period has been extended for an additional 90 days as regulators continue their assessment.
In her response to Owens’ resignation, CBS News President and CEO Wendy McMahon praised his leadership and contributions to the program. “Bill has demonstrated unwavering integrity, curiosity, and a deep commitment to the truth,” McMahon said, according to the internal memo reviewed by Reuters.
Owens’ departure marks the end of a significant era for 60 Minutes, a program known for its rigorous investigative journalism and cultural impact since it first aired in 1968. As the network navigates this transitional moment, questions loom about how the show’s editorial direction may evolve in the months ahead.
CBS has not yet announced a successor to Owens.
