CBS News’ new ombudsman has background and duties that differ from the job’s traditional definition
September 9, 2025
CBS News has appointed an ombudsman to investigate consumer complaints, although Kenneth Weinstein’s background and duties are different from the way the job has traditionally been defined in journalism. Weinstein is a former think tank president who was appointed ambassador to Japan by President Donald Trump in 2020 but not confirmed. He has little background in journalism. Weinstein is a former chairman of the precursor to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees government-run media organizations that Trump has sought to dismantle. CBS News parent Paramount agreed this summer to appoint an ombudsman to examine complaints of political bias, days before the FCC approved the company’s merger with Skydance.