The proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery could create one of the most powerful media companies in the world but that level of consolidation comes with real risks.
If approved, the deal would place major news outlets like CNN and CBS News under the same corporate umbrella, alongside a vast portfolio of entertainment networks and streaming platforms. That kind of concentration raises concerns about how much influence a single company could have over what Americans watch, and how news is shaped and delivered.
Dr. Tim Bajkiewicz, a Broadcast Journalism Professor at VCU says, “it’s not just about entertainment, but democracy. We need to hear different viewpoints and ideas. And it’s not just with news and information–these companies choose what movies and shows get made. They actually dictate the direction of America’s future. That’s a lot of power to be in any one family’s hands”.
That family being the Ellison family, staunch MAGA and Trump supporters.
It boils down to fewer independent voices. When fewer companies control major platforms, there’s less competition, less diversity in perspectives, and greater risk of homogenized or influenced content. Viewers could ultimately face fewer choices—and less trust in the independence of the news they consume.
According to the LA Times, journalists inside both CNN and CBS are already bracing for potential upheaval, including leadership changes, cost-cutting, and possible shifts in editorial direction. Recent layoffs at CBS News underscore how consolidation can lead to job losses and reduced newsroom resources even before a merger is finalized.
At a time when media plays a critical role in shaping public understanding, the question isn’t just whether this merger makes business sense—it’s whether concentrating this much power in one place is healthy for a free and diverse press
Take Action
Public pressure won’t guarantee a stop—but it can shape the outcome.
- Submit public comments to regulators like the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice
- Contact your representatives to push for stricter review
- Support media watchdog groups like Free Press
- Speak out publicly (social media, petitions, op-eds)
- Support independent media with your subscription
