The Ombuds Blog: Skydance to Replace Paramount's DEI Programs with Ombuds

July 28, 2025

Skydance to Replace Paramount's DEI Programs with Ombuds

Earlier this month, Skydance Media and Paramount Global announced a merger forming a new entity known as "Paramount Skydance Corporation." Facing regulatory scrutiny, Skydance promised the Federal Communications Commission that it would disband Diversity Equity & Inclusion programs and appoint an Ombudsman to review “complaints of bias” at Paramount's CBS News for at least two years. Details are scant and it is not clear whether the new Ombuds program would be similar to a traditional News Ombudsman or an Organizational Ombuds. (NBC News; Forbes; Reuters.)

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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany/Austria -- Ombudspersonen and Ombudsleute

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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July 28, 2025

Skydance to Replace Paramount's DEI Programs with Ombuds

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