A.J. Bauer, Guest Columnist

‘60 Minutes’ Exit Is Just Another Day at the Office

Bill Owens’ resignation over editorial independence reflects how many challenges journalism faces.

April 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM UTC

A.J. Bauer is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Alabama. He is the author of "Making the Liberal Media: How Conservatives Built a Movement Against the Press," forthcoming from Columbia University Press.

Under pressure.
Photographer: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile/Getty Images

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When executive producer Bill Owens resigned from 60 Minutes earlier this week, he was not forced out by President Donald Trump — at least not directly.

Rather, Owens bristled at increasing editorial oversight by CBS executives and those of its parent company, Paramount Global. His exit is a reminder of longstanding tensions between editorial and corporate interests in American journalism that have heightened in the Internet and Trump eras. Owens acknowledged as much in a meeting with staff, an audio recording of which was obtained by the New York Times.