'60 Minutes' host Scott Pelley blasted for calling out Paramount bosses on-air for 'supervising' content

WASHINGTON, DC: Scott Pelley, veteran CBS anchor and host of '60 Minutes', is facing criticism on social media for speaking out against his bosses on air, the Daily Mail reported on Monday, April 28.

During the final segment of the Sunday broadcast, Pelley, who makes an estimated $5 million per year, ripped into the executives of CBS' parent company, Paramount Global, while addressing the sudden resignation of his show's executive producer, Bill Owens.

He accused Paramount Global of actively interfering with the show's journalistic practices in order to secure political favor from incumbent President Donald Trump.

The company is desperate to finalize a high-stakes merger with Skydance Media, which reportedly hinges on receiving the green light from federal regulators. CBS is also embroiled in a $20 billion defamation lawsuit filed by the POTUS claiming that '60 Minutes' manipulated an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election to depict her in a more favorable light.

Scott Pelley's opinion on Paramount Global's inference

Pelley voiced his disappointment with the network executives for letting Bill Owens go on Sunday night, stating, "Bill resigned Tuesday. It was hard on him and hard on us, but he did it for us - and you (the viewers). 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."

"No one here is happy about it," he continued, claiming that Owens proved he was "the right person to lead 60 Minutes all along" by quitting. While Paramount Global did not block any story outright, Owens felt that the corporate oversight was compromising journalistic integrity.

"None of our stories has been blocked," declared Pelly. "But Bill felt he lost the independence that honest journalism requires. No one here is happy about it. Stories we've pursued for 57 years were often controversial, lately the Israel-Gaza war and the Trump administration. Bill made sure they were accurate and fair—he was tough that way."

Internet reacts to Scott Pelley's outburst

Netizens reacting to Pelley's comments on the show slammed him on the social media platform X. The following tweets demonstrate their takes.

"When you work for wages, you ride for the brand. Don’t like what you’re doing, quit. Scott Pelley bit the hand that feeds him and should be frog marched from the studio," wrote a user.

"This show has been nothing but fraudulent for the past eight plus years. This editorial by Scott Pelley jumps the shark," shared another.

"Unfortunately, Scott Pelley is lying to our faces. They are so tone deaf they probably think they are doing the right thing. @CBS needs to clean house & start over," stated a third.

"Why does Scott Pelley think journalists should be able to work for an employer and receive a paycheck on regular basis and not have to answer to said employer for how they perform their job? That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard," claimed a fourth.

"Find someone who loves you the way @ScottPelley loves himself," quipped a fifth.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.