Calls for full Commission vote on Paramount’s pending merger

Washington (July 2, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after Paramount Global, the parent of CBS News, agreed to pay $16 million to settle a frivolous lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump. Paramount reportedly had pushed for the settlement to help facilitate approval of its merger with Skydance Media, which is currently being reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

“Paramount’s decision to pay $16 million to settle Trump's baseless lawsuit is a blow to journalistic independence. With the FCC currently reviewing Paramount's merger with Skydance, this timing also raises serious questions about FCC independence and Paramount's true reason for settling with Trump. The public deserves to have complete confidence that the FCC's merger review is free from political interference. For that reason, the FCC must proceed with the utmost transparency, and Chairman Carr must hold a full Commission vote on the merger. I will be watching the Commission’s next steps very closely.”

Senator Markey has aggressively pushed back on the Trump administration’s efforts to attack news organizations and intimidate the media. In May 2025, Senators Markey and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) wrote to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, urging the FCC to take a vote on the merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media. In March 2025, Senators Markey and Luján, along with Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), introduced the Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act, legislation that would prohibit the FCC from revoking broadcast licenses or taking action against broadcasters based on the viewpoints they broadcast. In February 2025, Senators Markey and Luján, along with Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), wrote to Chairman Carr and then-Commissioner Nathan Simington regarding the FCC’s recent, politically motivated actions against broadcasters and public media.

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