Paramount Bidder Skydance Vows To End Dei Policies And Create Cbs News Ombudsman

Skydance, nan intermezo institution group to return complete Paramount successful an $8 cardinal merger, told national officials this week that it will hire an ombudsman who will reappraisal “complaints of bias” astatine CBS News.

The ombudsman will beryllium successful spot for “at slightest 2 years,” Skydance wide counsel Stephanie Kyoko McKinnon said successful a missive addressed to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, who was appointed by President Donald Trump.

In a brace of filings Tuesday to nan FCC, which has regulatory oversight of nan blockbuster deal, Skydance besides pledged to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs astatine nan media conglomerate.

The filings were published connected nan FCC's website Wednesday.

CBS News' editorial practices person travel nether aggravated scrutiny successful caller months pursuing disapproval from President Donald Trump and his governmental allies. Trump accused CBS News' "60 Minutes" of deceptively editing an question and reply pinch then-Vice President Kamala Harris during nan 2024 election.

CBS denied nan claims. Paramount yet agreed to salary $16 cardinal to settle Trump's lawsuit. The FCC is besides investigating whether nan web engaged successful "news distortion."

The colony roiled immoderate high-profile labor wrong CBS News. Bill Owens, nan editor of "60 Minutes," stepped down successful April, citing a nonaccomplishment of journalistic independence. CBS News main Wendy McMahon left successful May.

McKinnon, successful her missive to Carr, said: "New Paramount's caller guidance will guarantee that nan company's array of news and intermezo programming embodies a diverseness of viewpoints crossed nan governmental and ideological spectrum."

Skydance CEO David Ellison made similar promises to Carr successful a gathering past week. He said he would attraction connected "American storytelling" and emphasized his "commitment to unbiased journalism," according to a missive included successful a federal filing.

Ellison is nan boy of exertion mogul Larry Ellison, nan co-founder of Oracle and an state of Trump. David Ellison donated $929,600 to erstwhile President Joe Biden's re-election bid, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Trump signed an executive bid successful January looking to ace down connected DEI initiatives astatine American corporations. In response, a activity of salient American firms person pulled backmost connected DEI programs.

The FCC is investigating Comcast, nan genitor institution of NBC News, and Disney, nan genitor institution of ABC News, complete their DEI practices.