NEW YORK (AP) – CBS News has a new ombudsman assigned to consider public complaints, but the work envisaged by Kenneth Weinstein doesn’t resemble how this watchdog role has traditionally worked in journalism.
Weinstein, appointed Monday by CBS parent company Paramount, has little background in journalism and his duties do not include public roles. He is a former head of a conservative think tank and has made several donations to Republican causes, including President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.
company I agreed to employment Someone investigating complaints about political bias this summer, days before the Federal Communications Commission approved Paramount’s merger with Skydance Corp.
“We are honored to serve as the ombudsman for CBS News, one of the most respected journalistic institutions in the world,” Weinstein said in a statement. “We look forward to supporting the talented team behind the report and managing public trust at this important institution.”
He is assigned to consider complaints from consumers and employees, and if he determines that action is necessary, he will raise it along with Paramount President Jeff Shell and George Cheeks, the headquarters of TV Media. Only then will they bring it to CBS News President.
Few news organizations employ the Ombudsman
The news organization employing the Ombudsman It’s shrinking – This work is effectively reporting to the public, says Kelly McBride, public editor of Media Ethics and NPR at the Poynter Institute. However, Paramount said he doesn’t imagine Weinstein having a public role.
Weinstein is the chairman of the Washington-based Hudson Institute, and is focused on foreign policy and national security issues. Described in his bio as a “political theorist by training,” he was appointed to the broadcasting station by President Barack Obama in 2013, and in 2017 he elected the group’s chairman and succeeded Shell.
Now known as the US Global Media Agency, the organization oversees government-run media outlets such as Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Dismantled by Trump.
Weinstein was appointed Japanese ambassador by Trump in 2020, but the Senate did not act on the basis of his appointment.
He has donated to several Republican causes and candidates, including Nikki Haley, Marco Rubio, John McCain and Mitt Romney. Last year he donated $6,600 to Trump, $5,000 to Save America PAC, which lined up with Trump, and $10,900 to the Republican National Committee.
Skydance leader David Ellison and his team are being monitored to see if they establish a track record of bowing to Trump. Shortly before the merger was approved, Paramount I agreed to pay The president settled $16 million last fall to resolve his frustration that a “60-minute” interview with election opponent Kamala Harris was biased against him.
Following a complaint last week about compiling a “Face the Nation” interview by Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem, CBS said it would do so. Editing is no longer allowed An interview before the broadcast. Critics said they feared this could lead to spreading disinformation.
With his qualifications, Weinstein appears to be “a fully capable of doing the job” for the Ombudsman, McBride said.
“The question is, ‘What’s the job?’,” she said.
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AP researcher Randy Herschaft contributed to this report. David Bauder writes about the intersection of media and entertainment on the AP. Follow him in http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social.
