Maybe one of many greatest shockers to return from the 2025 TV schedule is the very actual circumstances that led to 60 Minutes govt producer Invoice Owens’ resignation. It’s been a excessive profile exit that’s made headlines, particularly with this weekend’s episode calling out this occasion, and the supposed causes for its prevalence.
As you’ll see in correspondent Scott Pelley’s clip addressing the problem at hand, your complete topic is as complicated as it’s heartbreaking. Closing out this week’s episode of 60 Minutes, “The Final Minute” section was centered on Mr. Owens’ resignation, and the explanations behind it. Pelley addressed the topic with a mix of scrutiny and remembrance, providing this state of affairs as the last word trigger:
Paramount started to oversee our content material in new methods. None of our tales has been blocked, however Invoice felt he misplaced the independence that sincere journalism requires.
That alleged supervision of content material, in Pelley’s recounting of occasions, has come from Paramount’s ongoing merger talks with Skydance Leisure. And with President Donald Trump’s administration being the ultimate hurdle that would sprint all hopes for this potential future, it seems that CBS and Paramount have been a bit extra cautious of their reporting total.
That concern has been echoed in reporting out of NPR, who cited the latest authorized challenges from the actor turned politician over a 60 Minutes’ interview as additional stress. With final October’s sit down with former Vice President Kamala Harris being the catalyst, the matter could also be ending quickly; albeit by CBS doubtlessly accepting a settlement supply.
As Invoice Owens’ virtually 4 decade tenure at CBS involves an finish, with almost three a long time being spent at 60 Minutes, the way forward for the enduring information program stays within the steadiness. However when it comes to the bittersweet ship off given by correspondent Scott Pelley, the choice was recalled with the next intent:
Invoice resigned on Tuesday. It was onerous on him, it was onerous on us. However he did it for us, and also you. … In resigning, Invoice proved one factor, he was the suitable individual to steer 60 Minutes all alongside.
It’s sort of wild to look again on how 60 Minutes’ 2020 exit interview with then President Trump was an enormous rankings win, particularly when in comparison with the seemingly extra contentious relationship each events share now. However in the long run, Invoice Owens made knowledgeable resolution to uphold what he felt was his personal journalistic integrity, which is all any good reporter can do.
Eradicating politics from the equation, seeing how Scott Pelley commemorated this unlucky flip just about says all of it. For these trying to watch that section, in its entirety, it’s included beneath:
Watch On
How 60 Minutes proceeds shifting ahead, along with additional Paramount merger talks, will certainly be sizzling button points for all to comply with. So whereas remaining devoid of any political leaning or opinion, let’s take a second to mirror on the occupation of journalism; a discipline that arguably wouldn’t have flourished for therefore lengthy, have been it not for the principled stand of Invoice Owens.
Could those that got here earlier than him be remembered for laying the muse of impartial journalism. Or, within the phrases of the late CBS Information vet Edward R. Murrow, who served because the inspiration for among the best 2000s films in Good Evening, and Good Luck, “We should not confuse dissent with disloyalty.”