CBS News has appointed Kenneth Weinstein, the former chief executive of the Hudson Institute, as an internal ombudsman to review concerns about bias and journalistic integrity, the company announced Monday. The position is part of a settlement tied to a Federal Communications Commission inquiry, and the role will report to Paramount Skydance leadership.
Under the arrangement, Weinstein will review complaints raised by employees and viewers, investigate issues he deems significant and, if action is warranted, present findings to Jeff Shell, president of CBS-parent Paramount Skydance, and CBS chief George Cheeks. Tom Cibrowski, president and executive editor of CBS News, will recommend and implement any necessary corrective steps, the company said.
CBS and Skydance said Weinstein — who served as CEO and president of the Washington-based Hudson Institute from 2011 to 2020 and currently holds the institute’s Japan Chair — will serve as “an independent, internal advocate for journalistic integrity and transparency.” He chaired the Broadcasting Board of Governors (now the U.S. Agency for Global Media) from 2017 to 2020.
The New York Post reported that Weinstein will be paid $250,000 a year for an expected commitment of roughly one day of work per month. CBS and Skydance described the ombudsman appointment as part of a settlement stemming from an FCC probe into whether the network’s coverage violated the commission’s public-interest obligations. The investigation centered on a contested 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris that critics, including some conservatives, said had been edited in a way that favored Democrats.
David Ellison’s Skydance and Paramount agreed last month to the appointment as part of a broader resolution of disputes with parties that had challenged the network’s coverage. The company has said it settled to avoid protracted litigation and discovery that could have broadened scrutiny of other interviews, including a 2023 interview with President Joe Biden that aired in October of that year.
Jeff Shell said in a statement that he has known Weinstein for many years and praised his integrity and judgment, adding that the new role “reinforces our commitment to truth, trust, and accountability.” Weinstein said he was honored to serve and looked forward to “stewarding public trust” in the news organization.
The FCC inquiry was conducted under the leadership of Commissioner Brendan Carr. CBS previously denied wrongdoing but reached a settlement the company said resolved the dispute and avoided extended legal discovery. Former President Donald Trump has said the settlement included $16 million in payments and an additional $20 million in public-service advertising; those figures have been cited in public statements by parties aligned with the settlement discussions.
Media-oversight roles such as ombudsmen are intended to provide an independent review channel for audiences and staff, and the appointment comes amid heightened scrutiny of news organizations from regulators and elected officials who have pressed claims of partisan bias. CBS and Skydance said Weinstein will function internally to address and resolve journalistic concerns, with escalation to company leadership if he determines action is necessary.
CBS and Paramount Skydance provided the announcement and role description on Monday; the companies did not specify a start date beyond saying they look forward to welcoming Weinstein, and they did not provide additional details about the scope or timelines for investigations he might undertake.