Paramount Pressures 60 Minutes Amid Trump Lawsuit, Producer Resigns

American journalism is facing unprecedented pressures as the Trump administration returns, with mounting interference from both government and corporate interests. At CBS's 60 Minutes, executive producer Bill Owens resigned, citing lost editorial independence due to increased supervision by parent company Paramount, which is seeking a merger that requires administration approval. Correspondent Scott Pelley publicly criticized Paramount’s involvement, noting that while no stories have been blocked, the heightened oversight threatens the show’s integrity. These developments are part of a broader trend of political attacks on the press, including lawsuits, funding threats, and public disparagement from government officials. Meanwhile, legacy media's influence is waning, demonstrated by a subdued White House Correspondents' Dinner and the rise of independent digital platforms, as traditional outlets face sidelining in favor of newer, hyper-partisan or influencer-driven media. Collectively, these trends underscore growing concerns about the erosion of journalistic freedom and the challenges to maintaining independent reporting in the current political climate.