Scott Pelley Criticizes CBS Oversight Amid 60 Minutes Controversy

Scott Pelley, a correspondent for CBS's 60 Minutes, publicly addressed the resignation of longtime executive producer Bill Owens, attributing it to increased content supervision by parent company Paramount Global amid its pending merger with Skydance Media. Pelley expressed concern that this oversight, which he believes aims to curry favor with the Trump administration for merger approval, threatens the journalistic independence of the program. While Pelley insisted that no stories have been blocked, he emphasized Owens' feeling that true editorial freedom had been lost. Pelley's on-air remarks sparked a wave of criticism, with some accusing him of ingratitude and hypocrisy given 60 Minutes' history of alleged bias and controversial reporting. The incident has fueled debate about the show's editorial integrity and the impact of corporate and political pressures on journalistic independence. Owens' departure marks a pivotal moment for 60 Minutes as it faces both internal upheaval and external legal challenges.