Correspondent Scott Pelley revealed that Owens left due to new layers of editorial supervision introduced by Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, which raised concerns about journalistic independence, on Sunday.

Pelley stated, “None of our stories has been blocked, but Bill felt he lost the independence that honest journalism requires.”

Owens’ resignation coincided with a broader corporate shakeup, including the appointment of Susan Zirinsky as interim executive editor and the involvement of former senior producer Al Ortiz to help vet stories.

Many within “60 Minutes” felt that these changes were encroaching on the newsroom’s traditional autonomy.

The situation is further complicated by external pressures, including a federal lawsuit against Paramount by former President Donald Trump, who claims the program misrepresented comments made by former Vice President Kamala Harris.

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Owens expressed that the growing corporate influence over editorial decisions made it difficult for him to operate independently.

Veteran correspondent Lesley Stahl echoed concerns about interference, emphasizing that news organizations should not allow corporate owners to dictate journalistic practices.

Pelley delivered the message on-air, highlighting the significance of Owens’ decision, stating, “It was hard on him and it was hard on us. But he did it for us.”