Senators Markey and Luján Renew Push for FCC Vote on Combination of Paramount and Skydance Media Companies
In a recent development, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) have once again urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to hold a full vote on the pending Paramount Global-Skydance Media merger. The senators' call for transparency stems from concerns about the merger's approval process, which they view as potentially partisan, corrupt, and harmful to independent journalism and press freedom.
The senators' letter, dated July 10, follows a $16 million settlement between Paramount, the parent of CBS, and President Donald Trump over a lawsuit related to campaign coverage. The lawsuit, which Trump referred to as "frivolous," alleged that CBS had violated state consumer protection laws through its editorial decisions around an interview of then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
The timing of the settlement, just two days before the FCC’s quick merger approval, has raised serious ethical concerns about undue influence and a lack of transparency in the FCC's decision-making. Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, has also called for a full vote on the Paramount-Skydance merger, echoing the senators' concerns.
The senators argue that the FCC's approval, led by Chairman Brendan Carr (a Trump appointee), appears rushed and conducted in a partisan manner, which they say stains the FCC’s reputation and undermines trust in its commitment to fair media oversight. They have persistently urged the FCC to hold a full Commission vote and called for transparency about any Trump administration involvement influencing media content or this merger process.
The merger’s conditions, such as banning diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and requiring an ombudsman, have been criticized as potentially harming free press and diversity of viewpoints. Dissenting FCC commissioners have warned about press freedom erosion due to these conditions.
The senators' demand for a full FCC vote reflects ongoing distrust about the merger’s approval circumstances and concern over the integrity of the free press given the Trump-related settlement and the FCC’s rapid, controversial decision. They urge Republican FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty to join Commissioner Gomez and encourage Chairman Carr to schedule a full Commission vote.
The FCC is urged to provide a transparent, deliberative process on such a high-profile and controversial issue. The senators believe that a full vote would ensure a fair and unbiased decision, upholding the FCC's mission to promote competition, innovation, and the free flow of information to the public.
- The senators have persistently urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to hold a full Commission vote on the Paramount Global-Skydance Media merger, citing concerns about transparency in the approval process.
- The $16 million settlement between Paramount and President Donald Trump, a lawsuit related to campaign coverage, two days before the FCC’s quick merger approval, has raised serious ethical concerns about undue influence and a lack of transparency.
- Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, has also called for a full vote on the merger, echoing the senators' concerns about the proposed conditions, such as banning diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and requiring an ombudsman.
- The senators urge Republican FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty to join Commissioner Gomez and encourage Chairman Carr to schedule a full Commission vote, arguing that this would promote competition, innovation, and the free flow of information, upholding the FCC's mission.
