WASHINGTON – A Democratic member of the Federal Communications Commission is pushing for extensive scrutiny of international investments tied to a major media merger on Tuesday.
The FCC received a request last month from Paramount Skydance seeking approval for foreign financial backing in their planned acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery. Commissioner Anna Gomez expressed concerns about the proposal, stating there are “serious, unresolved questions about how this foreign investment may jeopardize national security, and this commission has a legal obligation to answer them.”
Gomez highlighted that the transaction includes investment from government-controlled funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. The merged entity would have control over CBS television stations and significant cable news properties, including CNN.
The commissioner emphasized the need for thorough examination of these foreign ownership stakes before any approval moves forward.
