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Bill Owens, the longtime executive producer of CBS News’ 60 Minutes, resigned on April 22, 2025. Owens said he could no longer run the program the way he had in the past. He pointed to a loss of editorial independence and growing limits on his decision-making.
His resignation comes during a tense time for CBS. The network is facing a lawsuit from President Donald Trump. The case is about an interview with Kamala Harris that aired in October 2024. Trump stated that the interview was edited in a manner that made him appear unfavorable.
Owens had been with CBS News for 37 years and worked on 60 Minutes for 24 of them. CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon thanked Owens for his service. He will stay on for a few weeks to help during the transition, but no new producer has been announced yet.
Why did Bill Owens resign?
Bill Owens said he was no longer able to make the final decisions on what went into the show. For years, he had complete control over the editorial direction of 60 Minutes. However, recently, he felt that power was being taken away from him. In his message to the staff, he stated that he had fought to maintain the show's values but could no longer do so.
The show has been renowned for its hard-hitting stories and in-depth investigations. Owens believed in protecting that standard. He did not want outside business interests to shape the program’s content. When he felt that line had been crossed, he decided to step down.
Bill Owens said he was leaving so the show could move forward. He wanted the team to continue without the current conflicts. His decision was not easy, but he felt it was the right time to go.
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What role did the Trump lawsuit play?
The lawsuit from Donald Trump played a large part in the situation. Trump is suing CBS and 60 Minutes for $20 billion. He alleged that an interview with Kamala Harris was edited unfairly. Legal experts reportedly believe the lawsuit has little chance of success.
Even so, CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, is taking the case seriously. They are in talks to settle the lawsuit. Paramount is attempting to merge with Skydance Media, and it does not want the lawsuit to hinder the process.
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Bill Owens’ exit from 60 Minutes marks a significant change at CBS News. His resignation comes at a time of legal and business pressure. It raises questions about who controls news programs in today’s media world. The Trump lawsuit and CBS’s possible merger add more weight to the decision. As the network moves forward, the next steps will shape the future of one of America’s most well-known news shows.
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