CBS News taps ex-CEO of Hudson Institute as – Business News
CBS News on Monday tapped the previous head of a conservative assume tank as ombudsman to help monitor bias on the beleaguered community.
Kenneth Weinstein, 63, who was the CEO and president of the Washington, DC-based Hudson Institute from 2011 to 2020, will report to Jeff Shell, the president of CBS-parent Paramount Skydance, the company stated.
Weinstein “will serve as an independent, internal advocate for journalistic integrity and transparency, reviewing concerns raised by employees and viewers, addressing questions about news coverage, and upholding the organization’s longstanding commitment to accuracy and accountability,” the community stated in a assertion.
Kenneth Weinstein, who as soon as led the Hudson Institute, will grab the position of ombudsman at CBS News. LightRocket by way of Getty Images
The company added that Weinstein will examine any issues raised by CBS News workers or outsiders which have complaints, and if he determines it requires motion, he’ll convey these grievances to Shell and CBS boss George Cheeks.
The trio will work with CBS News president and government editor Tom Cibrowski — “who will recommend and implement any necessary action steps.”
The Post reported final month that the David Ellison-run Skydance Paramount would pay the new ombudsman the princely sum of $250,000 a yr for simply at some point of work a month.
The place is a component of a settlement settlement with President Trump’s media regulator, the Federal Communications Commission helmed by Brendan Carr, which investigated whether or not the community’s Democrat-friendly political tilt violated FCC “public interest” pointers.
The probe centered on a controversial “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris during the 2024 election that Trump and lots of conservatives believed was edited to make Harris sound more coherent.
David Ellison’s Skydance Paramount agreed to nominate an ombudsman for CBS News. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
The community denied any wrongdoing, however in the end settled the lawsuit for $16 million — and an addition $20 million in pro-MAGA public service adverts, Trump has stated.
At the time, CBS stated it settled the go well with over issues legal discovery would result in questions concerning the enhancing of an interview with President Biden that ran in October 2023, more than six months earlier than he dropped out of the race over questions on his stamina and mental agility.
“We look forward to welcoming Ken as our new Ombudsman,” Shell stated in a assertion. “At a time when trust in media is more important than ever, this new role reinforces our commitment to truth, trust, and accountability. I’ve known him for many years and have great respect for his integrity, sound judgment, and thoughtful approach to complex issues. Ken brings not only a wealth of advisory experience in media and beyond but also a calm, measured perspective that makes him exceptionally well-suited to serve as our Ombudsman.”
Weinstein will report to Skydance Paramount president Jeff Shell. REUTERS
The place of ombudsman is a component of a settlement settlement with President Trump’s FCC, which investigated whether or not the community’s Democrat-friendly political tilt violated the commission’s “public interest” pointers. Christopher Sadowski
Currently the Japan Chair on the Hudson Institute, Weinstein beforehand chaired the Broadcasting Board of Governors (now the United States Agency for Global Media) from 2017 to 2020. Shell held that position from 2013 to 2015.
“I am honored to serve as Ombudsman for CBS News, one of the most respected journalistic institutions in the world,” Weinstein added. “I look forward to supporting the talented team behind its reporting and to stewarding public trust in this critical institution.”
The Hudson Institute, which describes itself as a nonpartisan, impartial coverage analysis group, was based in 1961 by physicist Herman Kahn and the RAND Corporation.
