Press freedom groups seek Paramount documents over alleged White House merger favours
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · May 7
Press freedom groups seek Paramount documents over alleged White House merger favours
11 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · May 7
Freedom of the Press Foundation and Reporters Without Borders sent the demand to chief legal officer Makan Delrahim, citing reports David and Larry Ellison promised CNN changes to secure approval.
The groups say any corrupt exchange could breach fiduciary duties and expose Paramount to civil or criminal penalties, while the records request could precede litigation over the proposed $111bn Warner Bros. Discovery takeover.
The merger, approved by Warner shareholders and targeted for completion by September, still faces US and foreign regulatory review, amid opposition over debt, layoffs, media consolidation and possible political influence over CBS and CNN.
Can shareholder lawsuits protect news integrity when corporate deals threaten to silence critical voices?
With billions in shareholder value lost, is editorial independence now a financial liability for media companies?
The $110 Billion Media Merger Threatening Press Freedom and Fueling Political Interference in U.S. News
Overview
In 2026, Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approved a $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, sparking legal challenges from streaming subscribers and regulatory concerns over national security due to Tencent's stake. Over 4,000 film workers opposed the deal, fearing job losses and reduced diversity. Political controversy arose when Paramount settled Donald Trump's defamation lawsuit against CBS News and replaced DEI programs with a government-approved bias monitor to secure merger approval. Bari Weiss's 2025 appointment as CBS News editor-in-chief led to internal conflict, layoffs, and high-profile resignations, culminating in a major investigative story being pulled. These events fueled FCC scrutiny and shareholder lawsuits, highlighting deep tensions between media consolidation, political influence, and press freedom.