FCC, Trump Seek Media Bias Reforms Starting CBS Merger

President Donald Trump and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), under Chair Brendan Carr, are actively reshaping the American broadcast media landscape by targeting what they deem liberal bias in major networks. The FCC recently approved the $8.4 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media contingent upon editorial reforms at CBS, including hiring an ombudsman and ending diversity programs, signaling a broader push against perceived left-leaning media practices. Trump has called for revoking licenses of networks he accuses of being political pawns for the Democratic Party, raising concerns about increased market volatility for media companies such as Comcast and Walt Disney. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, criticized these efforts as unprecedented controls over newsroom editorial decisions, arguing they violate the First Amendment and threaten media independence. The FCC's enforcement of "bias corrections" and the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have created a politically charged regulatory environment, impacting corporate strategy and investor confidence in the media sector. This ongoing political influence over media content and regulatory approvals has sparked debate over journalistic integrity and market consequences.