Latest news with #ombudsman
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Skydance Tells FCC It Will Create CBS News Ombudsman, Eliminate DEI at Paramount
Big changes will come to CBS and CBS News, once Skydance's takeover of Paramount Global is closed. Skydance has told the Federal Communications Commission that once its acquisition of Paramount Global is complete, it will initiate a 'comprehensive review' of CBS to ensure that the network is operating in the public interest, and that it will hire an ombudsman that will report directly to the president of CBS News and 'who will receive and evaluate any complaints of bias or other concerns' at the news division. More from The Hollywood Reporter Trump's Side Deal With "New Owners" of Paramount May Hint at FCC Concessions Paramount Execs Tell Staff That Africa Offices and Channels May Close Amid Strategy Review (Exclusive) Paramount Sued by Ex-Employees Over Alleged Sexual Assault, Harassment by Former Executive The ombudsman role will be guaranteed for at least two years, with CBS News leadership committing to 'carefully review' any complaints. Skydance also promised to eliminate all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives (DEI) at the company, writing in a letter, 'The company is committed to ensuring that its storytelling reflects the many audiences and communities it serves in a manner that complies with non-discrimination requirements and other applicable laws.' Skydance made the commitments in a pair of letters to the FCC, with one focused on 'addressing concerns about media bias' and another 'to confirm the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that were in place at Paramount and to confirm our commitments moving forward.' 'Skydance, for its part, does not have DEI programs in place today and will not establish such initiatives,' the letter continues. 'The company is committed to ensuring that its storytelling reflects the many audiences and communities it serves in a manner that complies with non-discrimination requirements and other applicable laws.' The DEI changes will impact the company's hiring practices, promotion and development, compensation, and public messaging, among other areas. It will also eliminate the office of global inclusion. Skydance also committed to maintaining a 'productive partnership' with its CBS affiliates. The pledges come as Skydance is seeking to secure FCC approval for the transfer of the CBS broadcast licenses, which is necessary to complete the Paramount Global transaction. The future of CBS News has been a hot topic in media circles, with the 60 Minutes settlement sparking outrage among many in the newsroom there. Approval of the deal could come shortly, given the new commitments from Skydance. President Trump has also said that Skydance has committed to about $20 million in PSAs or advertising that are supportive of causes important to him. Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
7 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Skydance Plans To End CBS News DEI Programs If Paramount Merger Approved
Skydance Media plans to conduct a comprehensive review of CBS News if its merger with Paramount Global goes through, the company said in FCC filings Wednesday, which would include ending all DEI programs and appointing an ombudsman to 'receive and evaluate any complaints of bias or other concerns' at the network. Skydance CEO David Ellison appears at a premiere in May 2025. AFP via Getty Images This is a breaking story and will be updated.
Bloomberg
7 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Skydance Says Ombudsman Will Monitor Bias Concerns at CBS News
Skydance Media said it's willing to install an ombudsman to review any complaints of bias at CBS as a condition of its pending merger with Paramount Global. The ombudsman would remain in place for at least two years and report to the new president of Paramount, the company said in a letter to the Federal Communications Commission. The company also said it will invest in local CBS affiliates as a way to ensure an 'array of viewpoints on television.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Skydance Tells FCC It Will Create CBS News Ombudsman, Eliminate DEI at Paramount
Big changes will come to CBS and CBS News, once Skydance's takeover of Paramount Global is closed. Skydance has told the Federal Communications Commission that once its acquisition of Paramount Global is complete, it will initiate a 'comprehensive review' of CBS to ensure that the network is operating in the public interest, and that it will hire an ombudsman that will report directly to the president of CBS News 'who will receive and evaluate any complaints of bias or other concerns' at the news division. More from The Hollywood Reporter Trump's Side Deal With "New Owners" of Paramount May Hint at FCC Concessions Paramount Execs Tell Staff That Africa Offices and Channels May Close Amid Strategy Review (Exclusive) Paramount Sued by Ex-Employees Over Alleged Sexual Assault, Harassment by Former Executive The ombudsman role will be guaranteed for at least two years, with CBS News leadership committing to 'carefully review' any complaints. Skydance also committed to eliminating all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives (DEI) at the company, writing in a letter that, 'The company is committed to ensuring that its storytelling reflects the many audiences and communities it serves in a manner that complies with non-discrimination requirements and other applicable laws.' Skydance made the commitments in a pair of letters to the FCC, with one focused on 'addressing concerns about media bias' and another 'to confirm the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that were in place at Paramount and-to-confirm our commitments moving forward.' 'Skydance, for its part, does not have DEI programs in place today and will not establish such initiatives,' the letter continues. 'The company is committed to ensuring that its storytelling reflects the many audiences and communities it serves in a manner that complies with non-discrimination requirements and other applicable laws.' The DEI changes will impact the company's hiring practices, promotion and development, compensation, and public messaging, among other areas. It will also eliminate the office of global inclusion. Skydance also committed to maintaining a 'productive partnership' with its CBS affiliates. More to come. Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Skydance Commits To CBS News Ombudsman, Pledges No DEI Policies As Company Seeks FCC Greenlight Of Paramount Merger
As the FCC reviews its proposed acquisition of Paramount Global, Skydance has committed to create an ombudsman position to review complaints of bias at CBS News. In a pair of filings on Wednesday, Skydance also said that it would end any diversity, equity and inclusion policies that were in place at Paramount. More from Deadline Patrick Soon-Shiong Says He Plans To Take Los Angeles Times Public; Shares Will Be Offered Through Regulation A Financing - Update Donald Trump And Paramount Close Out Lawsuit After $16M Settlement; POTUS Says They "Anticipate" $20M In PSAs From New Owners Jimmy Kimmel Fires Back At Donald Trump After POTUS Hinted ABC Late-Night Show Would Be Canceled Next: "I'm Hearing You're Next" The ombudsman role will be in place for a period of two years, and will report to the president of the new Paramount company. Skydance said that the ombudsman will 'promote transparency and accountability.' Skydance's general counsel, Stephanie Kyoko McKinnon, noted that the FCC, in evaluating Comcast's proposed acquisition of NBCUniversal in 2011, found that an ombudsman was a 'mechanism effective in preventing editorial bias in the operation of the NBC broadcast network.' More to come. Best of Deadline 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Soundtrack: From Griff To Sabrina Carpenter 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'Stick' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The Apple TV+ Golf Series
