Washington: A group of Democratic lawmakers in the United States has called for a more rigorous regulatory review of a proposed media transaction involving Paramount Global, warning that the deal could significantly expand foreign influence over major American news and entertainment networks.
In a letter sent to Brendan Carr, six senators led by Maria Cantwell and Ben Ray Luján urged the Federal Communications Commission to conduct a comprehensive examination of the proposal before granting approval.
The lawmakers raised concerns that sovereign wealth funds linked to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar could potentially acquire major ownership stakes in media assets tied to the transaction. According to the senators, the scale of the investment could create serious questions surrounding national security, editorial independence and the protection of press freedom in the United States.
The proposal is reportedly connected to a broader merger involving Skydance Media and Warner Bros. Discovery in a deal estimated at approximately $111 billion. If completed, the combined media group would oversee influential brands including CBS television stations, CNN, HBO, Paramount Pictures and several other major entertainment and news operations.
In their letter, the senators argued that existing American law restricts foreign ownership in broadcast companies to 25 percent under the Communications Act. They stressed that the rule was designed to limit risks associated with foreign influence over domestic media and public communications.
The lawmakers also expressed concern over reports that Tencent could obtain a stake in the merged company. Tencent has previously faced scrutiny in the United States over alleged links to Chinese military interests, adding another layer of geopolitical sensitivity to the proposed transaction.
Questions were additionally raised about the neutrality of the FCC review process after earlier comments from Chairman Brendan Carr reportedly suggested optimism toward the merger. The senators requested that the matter be reviewed directly by the full Commission instead of being approved through routine internal procedures.
The debate has renewed wider discussions about foreign ownership rules in American broadcasting, particularly as media companies increasingly rely on international investment to finance large-scale mergers and expansion plans. Critics of the proposal argue that news organizations hold strategic influence over public opinion and democratic institutions, making ownership transparency and editorial independence especially important.
While the FCC has previously approved certain foreign investments in US media companies, lawmakers noted that deals involving sovereign wealth funds at this scale remain highly unusual. The outcome of the review could therefore shape future policy debates over international investment in America’s media industry.
