🚨 CBS NEWS EXPLOSION: Scott Pelley SLAMS Paramount LIVE on ’60 Minutes’—What Forced the Legendary Host to Break His Silence?

In an unprecedented on-air rebuke, CBS News correspondent Scott Pelley condemned the network’s parent company, Paramount Global, for compromising editorial independence. This rare public criticism followed the resignation of ’60 Minutes’ executive producer Bill Owens, who cited increased corporate interference amid Paramount’s merger efforts with Skydance Media.

📰 The Resignation That Shook CBS

On April 22, 2025, Bill Owens, a 37-year veteran of CBS News and executive producer of ’60 Minutes’ 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 .

Owens’ departure was precipitated by mounting pressures linked to a $20 billion defamation lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit alleges that ’60 Minutes’ deceptively edited an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris to sway public opinion in her favor .

🎙️ Scott Pelley’s Rare On-Air Rebuke

In a rare move, Scott Pelley addressed Owens’ resignation during the ‘Last Minute’ segment of ’60 Minutes’ on April 27, 2025. Pelley acknowledged the show’s 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 .

⚖️ Paramount’s 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 .

🔍 The Broader Implications

The turmoil at ’60 Minutes’ 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.

📺 Watch the Segment

For a firsthand account of Scott Pelley’s remarks, watch the segment below: