Media Contact:
Gomez.Press@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release 

COMMISSIONER GOMEZ ON CLOSING OF PARAMOUNT-SKYDANCE MERGER

WASHINGTON, August 7, 2025 — FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez issued the following statement in response to the closing of the Paramount-Skydance merger: 

“Today marks the final chapter of a dark moment in our nation’s history. After months of cowardly capitulation, including an unprecedented payout to settle a meritless lawsuit in exchange for regulatory approval, Paramount and Skydance have completed their merger, and ‘New Paramount’ will be created.

“This will be a new company, born in shame after trading away fundamental First Amendment principles in pursuit of pure profit. It embraced this Administration’s radical notion that discriminatory behavior should be tolerated and even embraced, while efforts to expand opportunity for everyone should be rejected.

“More alarmingly, the company agreed to never-before-seen forms of government control over newsroom decisions and editorial judgment—actions that violate both the First Amendment and the law. A government-sanctioned ‘truth arbiter’ will soon arrive at CBS. Their role will be to ensure that journalists at CBS do not criticize this Administration or express views that conflict with its agenda. That should alarm anyone who values the core democratic principle of a free and independent press.

“All of this is being carried out under the guise of combating so-called ‘media bias,’ a term which, in practice, appears to encompass anything or anyone who disagrees with this Administration. Never mind that those now feigning concern over media bias are the same individuals who have spent the past decade attacking the press and sowing public distrust in journalism. And even if such bias did exist to the extent they claim, the last entity the American people should entrust with defining or policing it is the federal government.

“Sadly, this will not be the end of this Administration’s campaign of intervention in media to silence critics, gain favorable coverage, and impose ideological conformity on newsrooms that should remain independent. With longstanding institutions like CBS compromised in this way, it will be up to us—as citizens—to hold this Administration accountable for its abuses. 

“I urge others to take notice and find their courage. And I will continue to call out cowardly corporate capitulation for what it is: a betrayal—not just of journalistic independence, but of the public trust.

“Because if the First Amendment is to mean anything at all, it must mean that no government—regardless of party—gets to decide what is true, who gets heard, or which voices are silenced.”

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Office of Commissioner Anna M. Gomez: (202) 418-2100
ASL Videophone: (844) 432-2275
www.fcc.gov/leadership/anna-gomez

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).