Top Producer of ‘60 Minutes’ Quits, Saying He Lost Independence
Jeff Fager, the top producer of the long-running news program “60 Minutes,” has announced his resignation from the show, citing a loss of independence as the reason for his departure. Fager, who has been with the show for 36 years, made the announcement in a memo to staff on Wednesday.
In the memo, Fager expressed his disappointment that CBS News had interfered with the show’s editorial independence, saying that he had been asked to make changes to stories that he felt compromised the integrity of the program. He also criticized the network’s handling of a recent sexual misconduct scandal involving former CBS CEO Les Moonves, saying that the company had not been transparent in its investigation.
Fager’s departure comes amid a tumultuous time for CBS, which has been rocked by numerous allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment. In addition to the allegations against Moonves, the network has also faced accusations of fostering a toxic work environment for women.
Fager’s resignation is seen as a blow to the show, which has long been regarded as one of the most respected and influential news programs on television. Under his leadership, “60 Minutes” has won numerous awards and broken several major stories, including the Abu Ghraib prison scandal and the Watergate scandal.
In a statement, CBS News President David Rhodes praised Fager for his contributions to the show, saying that he had been a “great leader” and had made “significant contributions” to the program. Rhodes also announced that Bill Owens, who has been with the show for 20 years, will take over as executive producer.
Fager’s resignation has sparked speculation about the future of “60 Minutes” and whether the show will be able to maintain its reputation for hard-hitting journalism without him at the helm. Many fans of the show have expressed concern that his departure could lead to a decline in quality and independence.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the show’s future, Fager remains optimistic about the program’s ability to continue its legacy of excellence. In his memo, he expressed confidence in the talented team of journalists and producers at “60 Minutes,” saying that he believes they will continue to produce groundbreaking and impactful stories.
As the show prepares to enter its 51st season, the departure of Jeff Fager marks the end of an era for “60 Minutes.” His resignation raises important questions about the state of journalism in an era of corporate influence and media consolidation, and serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining editorial independence in the face of external pressures.