60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley shocked viewers on Sunday evening (April 27) when he used the ultimate minute of the present to name out his bosses at Paramount following the departure of this system’s govt producer, Invoice Owens.
In a section titled “The Final Minute,” Pelley spoke on to viewers, informing them that Owens stepped down from 60 Minutes after 26 years final week as Paramount World, the mother or father of CBS Information, appears to merge with Skydance Media, a deal that reportedly requires the inexperienced mild from federal regulators beneath the Trump administration.
“In tonight’s Final Minute, a be aware on Invoice Owens, who till this previous week was govt producer of 60 Minutes. He was our boss,” Pelley mentioned. “Invoice was with CBS Information for almost 40 years, 26 years at 60 Minutes. He coated the world, coated fight, the White Home; his was a quest to open minds, not shut them.”
He continued, “In case you’ve ever labored laborious for a boss since you admired him, then you definately perceive what we’ve loved right here. Invoice resigned Tuesday; it was laborious on him and laborious on us. However he did it for us and also you.”
Pelley famous how latest tales on the Israel-Gaza struggle and the Trump administration have began to see extra oversight from Paramount higher-ups. “Invoice made positive [the stories] have been correct and truthful, he was powerful that approach, however our mother or father firm, Paramount, is making an attempt to finish a merger, the Trump administration should approve it,” Pelley acknowledged.
“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,” he added. “Nobody right here is joyful about it. However in resigning, Invoice proved one factor, he was the proper individual to guide 60 Minutes all alongside.”
HOLY SHIT! Did you see the tip of @60Minutes tonight?pic.twitter.com/9ylHAVlfaE
— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) April 28, 2025
Owens stepped down from his place final week, citing an growing lack of capability “to make unbiased choices based mostly on what was proper for 60 Minutes, proper for the viewers.”
This comes as President Donald Trump is suing CBS Information for what he claims was biased reporting on 60 Minutes, particularly an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris, which Trump alleges was edited in a strategy to mislead voters within the 2024 presidential election.
Viewers took to social media to react to Pelley’s surprising on-air statements, with one X person writing, “The lack of Invoice Owen’s, a 37 12 months veteran of CBS Information and govt producer at 60 Minutes, is a big loss for unbiased media and the general public. Mr. Owen’s departure as a result of he fought for the published and unbiased journalism is tragic and needs to be a purple flag to all who treasure the liberty of the press.”
“OHHHH. Deep burn. That’s one rattling highly effective minute of tv,” mentioned one other. “Hat’s off to all at 60 Minutes to your historical past of truthful and necessary journalism. And because of this anchor for speaking what’s actually happening behind this headline.”
“I used to be astounded…and saddened. This administration has accomplished an increasing number of harm and has no accountability,” added one other.
“60 Minutes misplaced all credibility years in the past,” mentioned one commenter.
One other added, “60 minutes making an attempt to behave like some form of sufferer?? Please! My eyes can’t roll far sufficient.”
“I hope I earn the respect for my work and ethics like how Invoice obtained from his staff,” one other wrote.
60 Minutes, Sundays, 7/6 c, CBS