More than 200 journalists, academics and filmmakers signed a Freedom of the Press Foundation letter urging scrutiny of Paramount Skydance’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, saying it could bring political meddling to CNN.
The warning centers on reports that Paramount CEO David Ellison promised Trump “sweeping changes” at CNN and on claims similar changes already followed Skydance’s takeover of CBS, including pulled segments, staff exits and programming shifts.
The letter says combining CNN and CBS under one owner would make the deal a press-freedom issue, not just an entertainment merger, and urges regulators and lawmakers to treat it as a political arrangement.
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders backed the $110 billion transaction last month, but antitrust approval is still pending; Ellison has said editorial independence at CBS and CNN would be maintained.
After alleged censorship at CBS News, what would stop history from repeating itself at CNN and HBO?
Will the creation of another media titan silence diverse voices and leave fewer choices for audiences?
Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger: $57.7B Deal Raises Alarms Over Press Freedom and Political Interference at CNN
Overview
The proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, led by the Larry Ellison family, has sparked immediate alarm among press freedom groups and industry professionals. With overwhelming shareholder approval and a high offer to WBD stockholders, the deal aims to finalize by September and includes CNN as a key asset. Concerns focus on threats to CNN’s editorial independence and the risks of further media consolidation. Political interests, especially from Donald Trump, and the Ellison family's influence have intensified scrutiny. The merger faces significant regulatory hurdles, with its outcome likely to shape the future of media diversity and journalistic integrity.