Memo From ’60 Minutes’ Top Producer: I Lost Editorial Independence

In a stunning announcement, Bill Owens, the longtime executive producer of CBS’s “60 Minutes,” quit the news program, saying he could no longer run it with editorial independence.

CBS has been embroiled in a legal battle with President Donald Trump, who sued the network last year for $10 million over its “60 Minutes” pre-November election interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

The legal trouble has cast a shadow over CBS parent Paramount’s long-standing plan to sell to Hollywood production company Skydance, which requires White House approval.

Legal experts have called the lawsuit indefensible, but Paramount’s controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone, has said she’s in favor of settling the case, which many journalists at the network believe would amount to capitulation, the Times reported.

“Over the past months, it has also become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it. To make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience,” Owens wrote in a memo sent to staff on Tuesday that was obtained by Business Insider. The New York Times earlier reported on his exit.

Wendy McMahon, president of CBS News, praised Owens in a separate memo obtained by Business Insider for his “unwavering integrity, curiosity, and a deep commitment to the truth.” She wrote that CBS remained committed to “60 Minutes” and to ensuring that its mission and the work remain a priority.

The news comes as news outlets wrestle with how to counter threats from a president who has vowed revenge on his enemies, including the press.

Here’s the text of the note Owens sent to the “60 Minutes” staff:

The fact is that 60 Minutes has been my life. My son was 6 months old, my wife was pregnant with my daughter and my mother was in a coma when I spent 5 weeks on the battlefield in Iraq with Scott. My 60 Minutes priorities have always been clear. Maybe not smart, but clear.

Over the past months, it has also become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it. To make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience. So, having defended this show — and what we stand for — from every angle, over time with everything I could, I am stepping aside so the show can move forward.

The show is too important to the country, it has to continue, just not with me as the Executive Producer. Please remember, people didn’t think we would survive without Mike or Ed or Don or Jeff. We did. You will.

60 Minutes will continue to cover the new administration, as we will report on future administrations. We will report from War zones, investigate injustices and educate our audience. In short, 60 Minutes will do what it has done for 57 years.

Wendy McMahon has always had our back, and she agrees that 60 Minutes needs to be run by a 60 Minute producer. Tanya has been an amazing partner, as have Claudia and Debbie, Matt Richman and Matt Polevoy. I am grateful to all of them.

Look, I have worked at CBS News for 37 years, more than half of that at 60 Minutes, I have been shot at and threatened with jail for protecting a source. I have overseen more than 600 stories as Executive Producer of 60. I know who I am and what I have done to cover the most important stories of our time under difficult conditions. I am also proud to have hired the next generation of correspondents and to call Lesley, Bill, Anderson, Sharyn, Jon, Cecilia and Scott friends. Scott one of my closest.

Thank you all, remain focused on the moment, our audience deserves it.

Bill