Bill Owens, the veteran executive producer of CBS News’ flagship program 6 Minutes, has abruptly resigned after years with the network, citing a loss of editorial independence. Owens, who helmed the show for nearly a quarter-century, announced his departure in a memo to staff, stating he could no longer “make independent decisions based on what was right for 6 Minutes and its audience”1.
His exit follows months of internal clashes over corporate influence and coincides with a $1 billion lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump against CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global. Trump alleges the network misrepresented a 6 Minutes interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, though CBS maintains the editing was standard practice. Paramount is reportedly seeking to settle the lawsuit to smooth its pending merger with Skydance Media, a deal requiring federal regulatory approval.
Owens, only the third EP in the show’s 57-year history, emphasized 6 Minutes’ critical role in journalism, writing, “The show is too important to the country—it has to continue.” CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon praised his “unwavering integrity” but stopped short of addressing his concerns about autonomy.
The resignation has sparked debate about corporate pressures in newsrooms, particularly as 6 Minutes faces scrutiny over its editorial direction. Owens’ departure leaves the program at a crossroads, balancing its legacy of hard-hitting investigations with evolving media landscapes and legal battles.
