New details are coming to light about the pressure company leadership has put on “60 Minutes” after CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon announced her departure, becoming the second top executive to step down in recent weeks amid the network’s effort to reach a settlement with President Donald Trump.
George Cheeks, the co-CEO of Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, requested McMahon’s resignation over the weekend, CNBC and Status reported. The company’s board in recent weeks scrutinized both Cheeks and McMahon over the contents of upcoming “60 Minutes” broadcasts — a practice that is at odds with how the newsmagazine has operated historically.
In a memo to CBS News staff announcing her departure, McMahon said, “It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward.”
“It’s time for me to move on and for this organization to move forward with new leadership,” she added.
McMahon’s exit follows the resignation of Bill Owens, the executive producer of “60 Minutes,” who cited a lack of editorial independence as a driving factor behind his decision.
