Movies

’60 Minutes’ is a TV news powerhouse brand. Can it withstand Trump pressure?

BBG News

Over a span of approximately six decades, very few news magazines have maintained their resilience and esteem like the iconic CBS program “60 Minutes.

Despite a decline in conventional television viewing, “60 Minutes” continues to be the most-watched news show, attracting nearly 10 million viewers in certain weeks, as per Nielsen’s statistics.

On the show, correspondent roles are highly sought-after in television journalism. Their well-researched stories carry significant weight in today’s media environment where the influence of traditional news sources has decreased due to media fragmentation.

But “60 Minutes” now faces an unprecedented crisis.

This week, we’re saying goodbye to our executive producer, Bill Owens, who has been with us for quite some time. He mentioned in his departure message that he was facing interference from our corporate owner, Paramount Global, who are currently trying to obtain approval from the Trump administration to finalize an $8-billion merger with Skydance Media.

The potential approval of the deal is being clouded by President Trump’s pending $20-billion lawsuit against CBS, concerning the October interview with Vice President Kamala Harris that was broadcast during the 2024 presidential election campaign. This case will be heard by a mediator next week.

Trump claims the video was manipulated to benefit Harris, a claim 1st Amendment experts deem baseless. However, Shari Redstone, principal shareholder of Paramount Global, along with Skydance partners, aim to remove any legal hurdles for their merger, willing to reach a settlement if necessary.

A Paramount Global representative declined to comment.

60 Minutes’ team felt a ripple effect following Owen’s exit, but there’s no indication that others will follow suit. This is primarily due to the perception that it might be seen as yielding to Trump, explained a long-standing member of the show who isn’t permitted to speak publicly about the matter.

For now, it’s unlikely that Owens’ departure will alter the robust journalistic principles of the program, as several of his trusted colleagues hold similar values. In the meantime, Executive Editor Tanya Simon, who is temporarily overseeing the program, is a daughter of the late Bob Simon, a renowned correspondent for this very program.

Tom Bettag, a previous network news producer and current lecturer at the University of Maryland’s Merrill School of Journalism, remarked, “She is quite resilient,” referring to the individual in question. “The troops hold her in high esteem.

While Owens cited corporate interference, there was little evidence of it on the screen.

60 Minutes persisted in scrutinizing the initial 100 days of the second Trump term, publishing critical analyses on the administration’s management of the Ukraine situation and bird flu crisis. Additionally, they featured a Marine Corps band that was disbanded during the administration’s dismissal of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the military.

60 Minutes team members attribute their ability to air challenging stories about Donald Trump to the relentless determination of veteran producer, Owens, who has been with the show for 25 years.

Hollywood Inc.

60 Minutes had originally planned to feature both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in their upcoming broadcast on Monday, but now only Harris will appear.

60 Minutes’ executives, who prefer not to speak publicly, have pointed out that the program has traditionally operated with a great deal of independence. Given Owen’s past experiences, it’s possible he wasn’t accustomed to the increased supervision that’s been put in place more recently.

As a dedicated cinephile, I found myself tasked last autumn to supervise the standards within the news division, following the call from Redstone due to his growing displeasure with certain broadcasts, particularly a “60 Minutes” segment that scrutinized the former President Biden’s management of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

However, the primary concern at “60 Minutes” seems to be that the company might resolve the lawsuit by offering an apology and a payment to Donald Trump.

Showing a willingness to appease the president might lead “60 Minutes” reporters and creators to feel like they’re constantly being watched while they perform their duties.

Since its inception in 1968, “60 Minutes” has been known for its confidence, self-assuredness, and a touch of assertiveness, which have contributed significantly to its status as a TV news powerhouse. However, doubts about corporate backing may be eroding these qualities, making it challenging to approach the Trump White House with the same boldness and vigor.

Individuals aspire to work at CBS News, particularly at ’60 Minutes’, as they desire a workspace that champions their values. As Bettag explains, his students admire ’60 Minutes’ and strive to embody its integrity, saying “I want to be like the people on ’60 Minutes’.

In certain instances, the program ’60 Minutes’ has faced corporate influence, particularly during discussions about mergers involving network shareholders.

1995 marked a pivotal moment in my career as a movie critic, as I found myself reflecting on the power dynamics within the broadcasting industry. In this instance, I’m referring to when Lawrence Tisch, then owner of CBS, was considering selling the company to Westinghouse.

Amidst these corporate dealings, a captivating story was brewing at “60 Minutes”, featuring Jeffrey Wigand, a former Brown & Williamson executive who bravely blew the whistle on the tobacco industry. Wigand revealed that their cigarettes contained additives designed to amplify nicotine and keep smokers addicted.

However, in a chilling turn of events, it appears that this story was suppressed by CBS during Tisch’s tenure, possibly due to external pressures or internal concerns about the potential fallout from such revelations. This episode serves as a stark reminder of the influence corporations can wield over media outlets and the public discourse.

Brown & Williamson warned CBS that they would file a lawsuit due to claims that the planned interview would breach Wigand’s confidentiality agreement with the company. Upon instructions from their legal team, ’60 Minutes’ did not air the interview or broadcast Wigand’s most damaging allegations until after The Wall Street Journal published an account of his testimony in a different case.

In the 1999 movie “The Insider,” directed by Michael Mann, the conflict was intensified, significantly tarnishing the show’s previously unblemished image.

60 Minutes managed to weather that particular broadcast and continues to uphold its position as a benchmark of top-tier television news reporting. In more recent times, it has held a strong grip over investigative journalism during primetime, with shows like “Dateline” on NBC and “20/20” on ABC shifting their focus solely towards telling true crime tales.

It’s puzzling those who have been involved with the program why Paramount Global or Skydance might be willing to jeopardize an asset that consistently brings in large profits for the network and offers a prestigious reputation.

Bettag expressed hope that they would step back and realize the true honor lies in standing up for ’60 Minutes,’ a valuable national asset. He added that ’60 Minutes’ not only holds significance as a cultural icon but also generates revenue, and its brand identity is crucial for any network.

Read More

2025-04-26 01:31

Previous post Doctor Who Just Broke Reality – You Won’t Believe What Happened!
Next post Bosch & Legacy: Ranked from Worst to Best Season