Although the Federal Communications Commission endorsed the Skydance-Paramount merger on Thursday, one commissioner is expressing concern about what she perceives as a gradual weakening of our First Amendment freedoms.
Commissioner Anna M. Gomez stated, ‘Following several months of yielding to this administration, Paramount was able to achieve its goal. Regrettably, it is the American citizens who may end up bearing the cost for these actions.’
Gomez highlights that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), headed by Brendan Carr, voted 2-1 in favor of transferring Paramount’s broadcast licenses to Skydance. Notably, she was the one who dissented. She emphasized the unusual steps taken by the FCC to facilitate this deal, such as scrapping DEI programs and imposing restrictions on decision-making in CBS newsrooms. As part of these changes, an ombudsman will be appointed directly under the president of CBS News. This individual will handle and assess any bias complaints or concerns that are reported to them.
On July 1st, Paramount consented to a $16 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit initiated by President Trump against ’60 Minutes’, following an interview with Kamala Harris. Many viewed this agreement as a precursor to the union with Skydance. Moreover, Trump has expressed his expectation of receiving at least $20 million in advertising, public service announcements, or similar content from Skydance, as part of their settlement terms.
In an unexpected action, the FCC, which was once autonomous, leveraged its extensive influence to coerce Paramount into a confidential agreement, thereby potentially weakening media freedom. This agency is once more undercutting genuine attempts to combat discrimination and promote equality by exceeding its boundaries and meddling in employment matters that fall under the jurisdiction of other appropriate government bodies. What’s even more concerning is the imposition of new restrictions on newsroom decisions and editorial judgement, a clear breach of the First Amendment and legal standards.
Following secret discussions between the FCC and companies such as Verizon and T-Mobile regarding the Paramount proceeding, I advocated for transparency. For a long time, I’ve felt that the public should be informed about how Paramount’s concessions might undermine our First Amendment freedoms. I’m glad that the FCC leadership agreed to my request for all Commissioners to vote on this matter publicly. It would have been wrong to approve this deal in secret, using bureaucratic procedures as a means to conceal this Administration’s efforts to suppress speech, manipulate stories, and stifle dissent.
Though unfortunate, this administration continues its challenge to the First Amendment. This may be just the start. The recent settlement and hasty approval have given courage to those who think the government can misuse its authority to extract financial and ideological commitments, demand special treatment, and influence media coverage. This is a concerning trend that undermines press freedom in our nation. However, such transgressions persist only when institutions opt for submission rather than bravery. It’s high time for companies, journalists, and citizens to stand firm and voice their opinions, as unchecked power has no place in the United States.
Read More
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Silver Rate Forecast
- Honor of Kings returns for the 2025 Esports World Cup with a whopping $3 million prize pool
- PUBG Mobile heads back to Riyadh for EWC 2025
- USD CNY PREDICTION
- Kanye “Ye” West Struggles Through Chaotic, Rain-Soaked Shanghai Concert
- Arknights celebrates fifth anniversary in style with new limited-time event
- Mech Vs Aliens codes – Currently active promos (June 2025)
- Every Upcoming Zac Efron Movie And TV Show
- Hero Tale best builds – One for melee, one for ranged characters
2025-07-25 01:24