Former '60 Minutes' Producer Critiques CBS Leadership

Bill Owens, the former executive producer of '60 Minutes', criticized CBS News leadership, particularly Bari Weiss, during a speech at the New York Press Club's annual dinner. Owens, who resigned from '60 Minutes' in April 2023, expressed concerns about Weiss's influence on the show, stating that she was undermining its editorial independence. He praised correspondent Scott Pelley for his remarks about Weiss, who he claimed was not qualified for her role. Owens also referenced the recent firings of several CBS News staff members, which he attributed to a lack of understanding of the network's operations by those making the decisions. Pelley echoed these sentiments during a staff meeting, questioning Weiss's commitment to the network. Owens acknowledged that while '60 Minutes' has made mistakes, the rigor of its reporting is not aligned with the current leadership's direction. CBS News has been contacted for a response.