Paramount to End Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives; Skydance Pushes for Strict New Journalism Guidelines to Ensure Neutral Reporting
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently reviewing the proposed merger between Skydance and Paramount Global, which was announced in 2024 and is expected to complete in August 2025. The formation of Paramount Skydance Corp will mark the union of two entertainment giants, with details about stock exchanges for shareholders and FCC approval for license transfers readily available. However, the question of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and journalistic controls has sparked a heated debate.
Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez has attacked the agency's push to regulate news content at broadcasters and criticized Skydance for reportedly agreeing to adopt controls over newsroom decisions and editorial content. Gomez believes the public has a right to know the role of the government in Paramount's decision to eliminate DEI initiatives.
In response, Skydance has sent letters to the FCC stating that they will end all DEI efforts and set up controls to ensure "unbiased journalism." However, it's essential to note that no credible information indicates that Skydance has committed to ending DEI efforts or establishing controls for "unbiased journalism" as part of the Skydance-Paramount Global merger.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr has applauded the promises made in the letters by Skydance, stating that these commitments will be taken into account in the FCC's proceedings. Skydance reaffirms its commitment to unbiased journalism and fact-based reporting, recognizing localism as a core component of the public interest standard and planning to work closely with its affiliated broadcast stations.
Skydance has confirmed the elimination of DEI initiatives at Paramount and will not establish such initiatives themselves. To increase accountability, Skydance will commit to having an ombudsman in place for at least two years to handle bias complaints. This ombudsman mechanism was found effective in the Commission's evaluation of Comcast's acquisition of NBCUniversal.
Gomez has called for a vote by the full commission on the Skydance-Paramount Global merger, expressing concerns about the FCC's alleged pressure on Paramount to reach a private settlement and the erosion of press freedom. Carr has repeatedly stressed that alleged complaints about bias would be part of the FCC's merger review.
In a positive note, Skydance aims to present a diverse array of viewpoints on television and ensure compliance with the public interest standard. The letters from Skydance to the FCC regarding the merger can be found online for public scrutiny. It's crucial to await more detailed disclosures post-merger for a comprehensive understanding of Skydance and Paramount Global's commitment to DEI and journalistic integrity.
[1] Source for merger details: [Link to source 1] [2] Source for merger details: [Link to source 2]
- The FCC commissioner, Anna Gomez, has criticized Skydance for reportedly agreeing to adopt controls over newsroom decisions and editorial content.
- Skydance, in their response to Gomez's criticism, has stated that they will end all DEI efforts and set up controls to ensure "unbiased journalism."
- However, it's essential to note that no credible information indicates that Skydance has committed to ending DEI efforts or establishing controls for "unbiased journalism" as part of the Skydance-Paramount Global merger.
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr has applauded the promises made in the letters by Skydance, stating that these commitments will be taken into account in the FCC's proceedings.
- In response to concerns about the erosion of press freedom, Gomez has called for a vote by the full commission on the Skydance-Paramount Global merger.
- Skydance aims to present a diverse array of viewpoints on television and ensure compliance with the public interest standard, with details about their commitment to DEI and journalistic integrity to be disclosed post-merger.
