Beware of those who publicly declare that their stuff doesn’t stink.

Recently, CBS newsman and “60 Minutes” regular Scott Pelley made news and noise when he seized the close of the venerable program to deliver an appeal, threat or whatever, depending on how one heard it, to CBS News parent Paramount, as it was reportedly preparing to settle a lawsuit brought last year by President Trump over the show’s very cozy interview with VP Kamala Harris during last year’s presidential campaign.

Pelley cited the week’s resignation of “60 Minutes” executive producer, Bill Owens, adding, “Paramount began to supervise our content in new ways. None of our stories has been blocked, but Bill felt he lost the independence that honest journalism requires. … Bill made sure they were accurate and fair.

“He was tough that way, but our parent company Paramount is trying to complete a merger. The Trump administration must approve it.”