Paramount Appoints Kenneth R. Weinstein as CBS News Ombudsman

Paramount Global haas announced the appointment of Kenneth R. Weinstein, the former president and CEO of the conservative-leaning Hudson Institute, as the first-ever ombudsman for CBS News. 

This move fulfills a commitment made by Skydance Media during its $8.4 billion acquisition of Paramount, which closed in August 2025, to establish the role as part of securing FCC approval amid concerns over media bias and journalistic standards. 

Kenneth R Weinstein

The position is designed to enhance transparency and accountability at CBS News, particularly following a series of high-profile controversies involving accusations of biased editing and coverage from conservative critics, including President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The ombudsman position was pledged to the FCC as a measure to promote "nonpartisan news" and address complaints about CBS News' editorial practices, especially in light of Trump's $20 billion lawsuit against the network over an allegedly edited "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris (settled for $16 million earlier in 2025) and recent edits to Noem's "Face the Nation" appearance. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, praised the initiative as a step toward "a diversity of viewpoints from across the political and ideological spectrum," while Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez warned it should not become a tool to enforce the administration's priorities.

In his role, the 63-year-old Weinstein will act as an "independent, internal advocate for journalistic integrity and transparency." He is tasked with: Reviewing complaints from viewers, employees, and other stakeholders about news coverage.