FCC Approves Skydance/Paramount 2-1

new company’s programming embodies a diversity of viewpoints from across the political and ideological spectrum” and “measures that can root out the bias that has undermined trust in the national news media.” Skydance has committed to not establishing diversity programs, hiring an ombudsman to evaluate bias at the company, and working closely with its network affiliates, said the FCC release. Commissioner Anna Gomez dissented from the order. “After months of cowardly capitulation to this Administration, Paramount finally got what it wanted. Unfortunately, it is the American public who will ultimately pay the price for its actions,” she said in her own statement. “In an unprecedented move, this once-independent FCC used its vast power to pressure Paramount to broker a private legal settlement and further erode press freedom,” Gomez said. “Even more alarming, it is now imposing never-before-seen controls over newsroom decisions and editorial judgment, in direct violation of the First Amendment and the law.” Despite condemning the arrangement, Gomez praised Carr for bringing the matter to a full commission vote. “Granting approval behind closed doors, under the cover of bureaucratic process, would have been an inappropriate way to shield this Administration’s coordinated campaign to censor speech, control narratives, and silence dissent.” According to the order, the news distortion proceeding against CBS stemming from a Center of American Rights (CAR) complaint remains open. “Our action today does not pre-judge or in any way prejudice any actions we may take in that proceeding,” the order said. “We note that the matter has not been set for hearing and CAR has not alleged that CBS or its parent are unfit to hold Commission licenses.” CAR instead asked the FCC to require CBS to release a transcript of its interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris and commit to viewpoint diversity, the order said. “CBS/Skydance has done both.”