"One of the more intriguing conditions of Paramount's sale to Skydance was this: Paramount would name an ombudsman to oversee CBS News. The ombudsman would report to Paramount president Jeff Shell and, according to a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, the ombudsman "will receive and evaluate any complaints of bias or other concerns involving CBS." On the surface, an ombudsman should be a welcome addition to any network newsroom, which should be practicing fair and honest journalism free of bias."
"But this particular announcement came off as a bit suspicious. It has been seen as a way to placate President Donald Trump, whose FCC had to sign off on the sale. And it all came in the midst of Trump suing Paramount and CBS News because he claimed the network altered an interview with then-Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris to help her with the 2024 election."
"On Monday, Paramount revealed who the ombudsman would be: Kenneth R. Weinstein, the former president and chief executive of the conservative-leaning Hudson Institute think tank. It has some wondering if Weinstein's mission, based on his stint with the Hudson Institute, will be to pick through and question any CBS News stories that are critical of Trump and the right."
Paramount required naming an ombudsman to oversee CBS News as part of its Skydance sale, with the ombudsman reporting to Paramount president Jeff Shell and empowered to receive and evaluate complaints of bias or other concerns. The condition prompted suspicion because it coincided with President Donald Trump’s lawsuit alleging an altered interview with Kamala Harris and because the FCC had to approve the sale. Paramount settled the suit despite legal opinions favoring Paramount at trial. Paramount appointed Kenneth R. Weinstein, former president and CEO of the conservative Hudson Institute, raising concerns about potential political influence and scrutiny of stories critical of Trump.
#paramount-skydance-sale #cbs-news-oversight #ombudsman-appointment #media-bias-and-political-influence
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