Skydance Media, Paramount Global and National Amusements are pushing back against critics of their pending $8 billion merger who have filed petitions with the Federal Communications Commission, which is reviewing the deal due to a required transfer of broadcast licenses.
In a petition filed last month, The Center for American Rights said that an investment in Skydance from Tencent Holdings raises “troubling questions about undue foreign influence from China.” It also claims that CBS News has “exhibited improper ideological bias” and that CBS Television has “apparently engaged in illegal racial quotas for its hiring.” CAR has said approval of the merger should be conditioned upon Paramount’s commitment that it will avoid foreign influence and promote viewpoint diversity.