Boosting Public Trust in News

The critical, intertwined issues of media accountability and Ombudsman return, political pressure, and waning public trust have recently dominated the news cycle. This confluence of events was highlighted by the temporary preemption of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! by two major U.S. broadcast owners, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group. Both corporations, after facing intense public backlash and scrutiny over content control, announced on September 26, 2025, that they would resume airing the late-night program. Optimizing for strong media accountability is crucial in today's digital landscape.

The Kimmel Blackout and Corporate Scrutiny

The controversy began when ABC temporarily suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! following controversial comments the host made regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Before the suspension, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr suggested Kimmel should be suspended and issued a warning that local broadcasters airing him could face penalties.

Even after ABC announced Kimmel’s return on September 23, 2025, Sinclair and Nexstar maintained the blackout until Friday, September 26, 2025. Together, these two groups own approximately 70 ABC affiliate stations, which reach nearly 25% of U.S. households.

The decision to preempt the program was widely perceived as political due to several factors:

Sinclair has a history of promoting right-leaning content.

Nexstar is currently seeking FCC approval for its pending $6.2 billion merger with Tegna.

Both broadcast groups stated that they received "thoughtful feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders" during the preemption period, which included boycotts targeting national advertisers like Walmart and Starbucks.

Upon reversing their decision, Sinclair asserted that its preemption decision was made "independent of any government interaction or influence". Notably, Sinclair also proposed measures for greater accountability during discussions with ABC, specifically advocating for a "network-wide independent ombudsman".

Why the Demand for Media Accountability is High

Sinclair’s involvement in the content controversy is part of a larger pattern. The company has previously mandated that local TV news anchors read identical, conservative scripts about the media. More recently, Sinclair's three-hour weekday morning news program, The National Desk, which airs on 68 stations, has been used to disseminate conservative misinformation.

This misinformation campaign often targets academic concepts like Critical Race Theory (CRT). The program has exclusively interviewed Republicans about CRT, featuring guests who mischaracterized the academic discipline. They have claimed that CRT:

Is a "conspiracy theory" designed to make people feel inferior.

Teaches that "white people are all racist".

In reality, Critical Race Theory is defined as a decades-old academic discipline that explores how the history of racism, such as practices like redlining, still results in systemic racism in modern American society. This distorted coverage fuels the ongoing GOP political campaign to exploit CRT, which has already resulted in legislation banning its teaching in 21 states.

The Case for Restoring the Ombudsman Role

Amid historically low levels of public confidence in mainstream media, many driven by perceptions of bias and "fake news," the discussion has focused on the once-common role of the ombudsman or public editor. Research suggests that nearly 70% of survey respondents believe that public trust in the media can be restored. Former ombudsmen argue that restoring this position is vital for rebuilding credibility.

The ombudsman role largely disappeared due to the financial pressures faced by news organizations. However, to be effective in improving media accountability, the role requires several key characteristics:

Independence and Autonomy: The ombudsman must function as an "independent, autonomous person" positioned on the same level as the editor-in-chief, ensuring they do not report through the traditional newsroom hierarchy. Total independence is considered critical, with restrictions only on being fired for failure to work or violating written ethics guidelines.

Public Representation and Internal Investigation: The main function of the ombudsman is to represent the public, gather facts, and bring accountability and transparency to the news organization. Crucially, unlike external critics, the ombudsman holds the institutional power to "go to somebody’s desk" within the newsroom, investigate issues, and render an independent judgment.

Public Education: Given the current climate of political polarization and news fragmentation, the modernized ombudsman is increasingly vital as a "public educator". They should explain journalistic values, ethics, and processes to help the public distinguish "the good from the bad, the real from the fake".

Most former ombudsmen agree that the position is more relevant now than ever before. They contend that social media critics are inadequate substitutes because external voices lack the ability to conduct internal investigations. A modernized role would require the ombudsman to be more visible and nimble, using contemporary platforms such as blogging, social media, and potentially podcasts, rather than relying solely on occasional print columns.

Seven out of eight former ombudsmen interviewed believe the return of the position would successfully help restore trust and credibility. This return would demonstrate that news organizations are willing to subject their work to an objective third party with real institutional power.