FCC Chair Brendan Carr's remarks calling for an end to invidious DEI discrimination have brought scrutiny to mergers such as Paramount’s merger with Skydance Media. This event highlights the political pressures on companies with progressive DEI practices, underscoring the broader debate about corporate roles in fostering diversity and opposing authoritarian tendencies.

According to data from OpenSecrets, Skydance Media did not report any lobbying activities or outside spending during the 2024 election cycle. This indicates a low level of direct political influence, a positive indicator in the context of avoiding complicity in authoritarian practices.

Analysis indicates that Skydance Media contributed $742,215 in the 2024 cycle, raising concerns over corporate political influence that can distort democratic processes and potentially favor authoritarian agendas. Although there is no reported lobbying activity, the financial contribution still exemplifies corporate engagement in political spending.

The merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media has drawn FCC protest due to concerns over a Tencent Holdings investment and associated risks of foreign influence on U.S. media, with critics questioning potential ideological bias and political entanglements.

Reports indicate that Skydance Media's top executives, including key figures connected with Larry Ellison, have engaged directly with Trump-affiliated political figures to expedite regulatory approval for their $8 billion merger with Paramount Global. The move, reported by the New York Post, reveals a calculated use of political influence to shape media neutrality standards, raising serious concerns about the company's complicity in authoritarian practices.

Skydance Media's recent move to hire federal lobbyists in support of its $8 billion merger with Paramount highlights its increasing reliance on political influence to secure corporate objectives. This action raises concerns about corporate influence in political processes, potentially contributing to a broader pattern of democratic subversion.

Skydance Media has recently hired its first federal lobbyists to support its $8 billion merger bid with Paramount Global, highlighting the company's strategic use of political influence. Additionally, the company's executive, David Ellison, who has recently become politically active, is set to lead the merged entity. Such maneuvers are seen as an effort to leverage corporate power in shaping regulatory outcomes within the media landscape.

Skydance Media has hired its first federal lobbyists to help facilitate its bid to merge with media giant Paramount Global. This move raises concerns about the company's increasing political engagement to influence regulatory processes and consolidate corporate power in the media industry.

The merger between Skydance Media and Paramount Global to form New Paramount has raised concerns about further concentration of media and technological power. While the transaction is presented as a strategic advancement in creative media, from an anti-fascist perspective, such consolidations may enable centralized control over content and reduce diverse narratives, potentially supporting authoritarian tendencies.

In Q1 2024, David Ellison, CEO of Skydance Media, donated $929,600 to the Biden Victory Fund, marking a notable endorsement for progressive political initiatives and democratic norms. This contribution stands in contrast to other influential figures, reflecting a commitment to support anti-authoritarian and pro-democracy efforts.

Skydance Media CEO David Ellison made a significant donation of $929,600 to the Biden Victory Fund, marking his largest federal campaign contribution and signaling a strong stance against authoritarian ideologies. The contribution, orchestrated in part by Hollywood figure Jeffrey Katzenberg, reflects active executive political engagement in support of progressive, democratic causes.

Skydance Media donated $1M to humanitarian relief efforts in Israel following Hamas terror attacks, publicly affirming its support for human rights and condemning extremist violence.

Skydance Media, led by David Ellison, donated $1M to support humanitarian relief efforts in Israel following terror attacks, demonstrating a commitment to ethical business practices and public responsibility.

Skydance Media's decision to appoint John Lasseter, despite his history of alleged sexual harassment, has been sharply criticized by advocacy groups. Critics argue that this move condones abusive behavior in the workplace and perpetuates an environment that tolerates exploitation and misconduct.