Paramount faces congressional scrutiny over alleged pressure on CBS content

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Paramount faces congressional scrutiny

Highlights

Paramount faces congressional scrutiny after Representative Raskin alleges collusion with the Trump administration to limit CBS editorial independence amid a proposed $110 billion Warner Bros Discovery acquisition.
Paramount declines to comment as California and 11 other states file suit Monday to block the Warner Bros Discovery deal, increasing regulatory pressure on the media giant.
Paramount previously settles for $16 million over Trump's lawsuit against CBS and agrees Skydance's $8.4 billion merger will require CBS content bias oversight and end diversity programs for at least two years.

Congressional inquiry and deal-related allegations

As reported by Reuters, Raskin sends a letter on Tuesday to Ellison alleging that Paramount appears to be colluding with the Trump administration to limit media independence, promote political and ideological censorship, and stifle dissent.

The letter cites concerns about CBS editorial independence after 60 Minutes journalist Scott Pelley is fired and includes an allegation that CBS editor in chief Bari Weiss asks him to make anti-ICE protesters "look more violent." Raskin also writes that Ellison has been delivering for Trump at CBS and that Weiss is poised to do the same at CNN if Paramount's proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery is approved.

Raskin and Representative Frank Pallone in May also ask Ellison whether he or the company offers to make changes to CNN's coverage of Trump in exchange for regulatory approval of the Warner Bros Discovery deal. Paramount declines to comment, while CBS does not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Regulatory and industry implications for U.S. media

Monday's lawsuit by California and 11 other states to block Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery adds another layer of pressure to the company's expansion plans. The dispute is unfolding as Trump continues to push the Federal Communications Commission to target media companies over programming or coverage he considers unfair.

Raskin and Pallone said in November that Paramount is stonewalling congressional oversight after they seek documents tied to the FCC's approval of Skydance's $8.4 billion merger with Paramount, the parent company of CBS News. Shortly before that deal is approved, Paramount last year pays $16 million to settle Trump's lawsuit against CBS over editing of a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump's Democratic opponent in 2024.

Skydance also agrees that CBS News and entertainment programming will be free of bias, that an ombudsman will review complaints for at least two years, and that diversity programs will end. Together, those commitments and the latest congressional questions underscore how political oversight, merger review and editorial governance are becoming more tightly linked across the U.S. media sector.

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