Skydance Plans Major Changes for CBS News After Merger

Skydance, the entertainment firm making an $8 billion bid to acquire Paramount, has taken steps to address concerns about perceived bias at CBS News. They’ve informed the FCC of their intention to appoint an ombudsman who will focus on issues related to the network’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies.

To gain the necessary approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the takeover, Skydance is emphasizing their commitment to a thorough review of CBS following the merger. In a recent letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Kerr, they pledged to implement this review and address complaints regarding bias and other matters.

Post-merger, the team at New Paramount will prioritize a diverse array of perspectives in their programming while acknowledging the varied viewpoints held by their audience. They aim to make CBS News reflect a wider political and ideological spectrum.

Additionally, Skydance assured that the DEI policies currently in place at Paramount will be eliminated or modified. They believe this move aligns with a fair approach to governance and equal opportunity.

In a notable recent turn, Paramount agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by former President Trump, while the FCC continues its investigation into potential “news distortion” practices at CBS News.

Skydance’s CEO, David Ellison, highlighted a focus on “American Storytelling” and reiterated the importance of commitment to unbiased journalism throughout the company. Meanwhile, the FCC has started scrutinizing DEI policies at other media giants like Disney and Comcast-NBC Universal. Earlier this month, T-Mobile expressed similar sentiments, labeling these policies as “mysterious discrimination” and announcing a cessation of their own DEI initiatives.