VIDEO: “60 Minutes” Host Scott Pelley Calls Out Paramount for Politically “Supervising Content”

VIDEO: “60 Minutes” Host Scott Pelley Calls Out Paramount for Politically “Supervising Content”

On Sunday night, “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley called out CBS’s corporate parent, Paramount, in an unusual on-air rebuke. 

The move came after the program’s executive producer Bill Owens had announced his intent to resign this week. 

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Pelley accused Paramount of meddling in the show's content, as it seeks approval from the Trump Administration for a merger with Skydance Media. 

“He was our boss. Bill was with CBS News nearly 40 years; 26 years at 60 Minutes. He covered the world, covered combat, the White House; his was a quest to open minds, not close them. If you've ever worked hard for a boss because you admired him then you understand what we've enjoyed here,” said Pelly. 

"Bill resigned on Tuesday. It was hard on him and hard on us but he did it for us - and you. Stories we pursued for 57 years are often controversial; lately, the Israel-Gaza war and the Trump administration. Bill made sure they were accurate and fair; he was tough that way," he added.

Pelley then questioned Paramount's motives. 

“But our parent company, Paramount, is trying to complete a merger. The Trump administration must approve it. Paramount began to supervise our content in new ways. None of our stories has been blocked, but Bill felt he lost the independence that honest journalism requires,” said Pelley. “No one here is happy about it.”

“But in resigning Bill proved one thing,” said Pelley. “He was the right person to lead 60 Minutes.”