In a move that’s already stirring debate across the media and political landscapes, Paramount announced on September 8, 2025, that Kenneth R. Weinstein—former president and CEO of the Hudson Institute, a right-leaning Washington, D.C. think tank—will serve as ombudsman for CBS News. The appointment, which arrives on the heels of Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount and amid mounting scrutiny over CBS News’ editorial independence, is part of a settlement agreement with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and reflects the company’s pledge to address concerns about bias in its news reporting.
Weinstein, age 63, brings a formidable résumé to the role, but not one rooted in the day-to-day operations of a newsroom. Instead, his experience is steeped in policy analysis, government advisory roles, and leadership at the Hudson Institute, which, as Deadline notes, is generally regarded as leaning to the right and has focused on national security and foreign policy issues. His political ties are unmistakable: records from the Federal Election Commission reveal that in 2024 alone, Weinstein donated more than $31,600 to Trump-related committees, including $20,000 to the Trump 47 Committee, as well as contributions to the campaigns of Mike Pence and Nikki Haley.
According to The New York Post, Weinstein’s duties as ombudsman are broad but clear: he will review complaints from CBS News employees, viewers, and outside parties regarding bias or other concerns in news coverage. If he determines that a complaint warrants action, he’ll escalate it to Paramount president Jeff Shell and CBS boss George Cheeks. Together, the trio will consult with Tom Cibrowski, president and executive editor of CBS News, who is charged with recommending and implementing any necessary steps. The position, which reportedly pays $250,000 a year for one day of work each month, is slated to last for two years as part of the settlement.
The roots of this settlement run deep. CBS News has been under the microscope for months, facing allegations—most notably from former President Donald Trump and his allies—of a “Democrat-friendly” tilt that, they claim, violates the FCC’s public interest guidelines. The controversy reached a boiling point following the editing of a 2023 interview with President Biden, which, according to The Post, became a focal point in a lawsuit brought by Trump’s media regulator, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. Though the merits of the case were widely disputed, Paramount ultimately opted to settle for $16 million and agreed to run an additional $20 million in pro-MAGA public service ads, as Trump has publicly stated.
Weinstein’s appointment also comes in the wake of another high-profile complaint—this time from the Trump administration—regarding an August 31, 2025, Face the Nation interview with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem accused the network of omitting explosive, though unproven, allegations about an individual she described as a “known human smuggler, MS-13 gang member, an individual who’s a wife beater, and someone who was so perverted that he solicited nude photos from minors.” While the network included her remarks in the online version and transcript, it edited out some of the more contentious, unproven claims from the broadcast. In response, CBS News announced on September 5, 2025, a sweeping new policy: from now on, all interviews will be broadcast live or live-to-tape, with full, unedited versions and transcripts posted online. “This extra measure means the television audience will see the full, unedited interview on CBS and we will continue our practice of posting full transcripts and the unedited video online,” the network said in a statement.
Paramount’s decision to install an ombudsman was cheered by some, including FCC Chairman Carr, who praised the move as a step toward ensuring “a diversity of viewpoints from across the political and ideological spectrum.” Others, however, have sounded alarms about the potential for overreach and the chilling effect on independent journalism. Anna Gomez, the sole Democrat on the FCC, was especially vocal, warning on X (formerly Twitter), “The job of this FCC-imposed ‘truth’ monitor must not be to judge whether independent reporting conforms to this Administration’s views and priorities. That’s a clear violation of the First Amendment and the law. Everyone should be watching their actions closely and urging CBS to find its courage by reclaiming the independence that made it a trusted voice in American journalism.”
For his part, Jeff Shell, president of Paramount, offered a ringing endorsement of Weinstein’s character and qualifications, stating, “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 himself responded with humility and a sense of mission, declaring, “I am honored to serve as Ombudsman for CBS News, one of the most respected journalistic institutions in the world. I look forward to supporting the talented team behind its reporting and to stewarding public trust in this critical institution.”
Yet, as Variety and Deadline both point out, his lack of direct experience in newsroom operations sets him apart from ombudsmen at other major networks. For example, when Comcast acquired NBCUniversal in 2011, it committed to an ombudsman role filled by individuals with backgrounds in news standards and editorial decision-making. Weinstein, by contrast, has spent most of his career as a policy analyst and advisor, including stints as chair of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (now the United States Agency for Global Media) and as a member of Trump’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.
Adding another layer of intrigue, there are reports—unconfirmed by Paramount—that the company is eyeing a purchase of The Free Press, the digital site launched by former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss. Insiders speculate that Weiss could gain significant editorial influence at CBS News if the deal goes through, raising questions about who will ultimately shape the network’s news agenda and how the ombudsman role will intersect with these evolving power dynamics.
As the dust settles, many observers are left wondering what real impact the ombudsman will have. Complaints submitted to Weinstein will not be made public, and it remains unclear what will happen if CBS News president Tom Cibrowski disagrees with the ombudsman’s findings. Unlike newspaper ombudsmen, who often publish regular columns detailing their investigations and recommendations, Weinstein’s work will unfold largely behind closed doors.
For now, CBS News employees, viewers, and critics alike are watching closely. With trust in media at a historic low and political polarization at fever pitch, the appointment of Kenneth Weinstein as CBS News ombudsman is either a bold step toward restoring faith in journalism—or, as some argue, a dangerous precedent that could undermine independent reporting. Only time will tell which way the pendulum swings.
