Paramount-Skydance’s hostile bid for Warner Bros Discovery has raised serious concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the impact on media independence in the United States, particularly at networks like CNN and CBS News.

The proposed deal, valued at $108 billion, comes shortly after Warner Bros Discovery agreed to a separate $82.7 billion merger with Netflix, which has drawn scrutiny from antitrust experts and US lawmakers over its potential to reduce competition in Hollywood. While Netflix’s deal primarily focuses on streaming and entertainment content, the Paramount-Skydance bid has raised alarm over the political influence it could exert over news coverage.

Conflict of Interest and Kushner Connection

A major point of concern is that one of the sources of funding for Paramount’s bid is Affinity Partners, Jared Kushner’s investment firm. Kushner, a senior advisor during Donald Trump’s first administration and husband of Ivanka Trump, has deep ties to the White House. Additional financing comes from Saudi and Qatari sovereign wealth funds.

Nell Minow, chair of ValueEdge Advisors, described the situation as “Exhibit A” in a business school case study on conflicts of interest. Analysts worry that such connections could allow political influence over editorial decisions at major news networks.

Trump himself has publicly stated that neither Paramount nor Netflix “are friends of mine,” yet he has also indicated a personal interest in the outcome of the Warner Bros deals.

Concerns Over CBS News

Paramount’s acquisition has already coincided with major changes at CBS News, including the appointment of conservative opinion writer Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief and the introduction of Ken Weinstein as ombudsman. Both appointments are viewed by critics as politically motivated, aligning the network more closely with Trump-friendly perspectives.

Several senior journalists and producers have resigned in recent months, including Claudia Milne, John Dickerson, and Maurice DuBois, citing concerns about editorial independence. Meanwhile, late-night programming such as The Late Show hosted by Stephen Colbert has been slated for cancellation, widely perceived as politically influenced despite financial considerations.

Trump has openly praised the new management at CBS, even after the network aired interviews critical of him, signaling ongoing pressure on corporate decisions.

Potential CNN Takeover

Paramount’s bid would also include CNN, a network frequently criticized by Trump. Reports indicate that David Ellison, son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and Paramount’s CEO, has discussed making “sweeping changes” at CNN to align news coverage more closely with the administration.

Media scholars, such as Rodney Benson of NYU, warn that merging CBS, CNN, and Warner Bros Discovery under a single owner with political ties could dramatically increase media concentration and compromise journalistic independence. Seth Stern from the Freedom of the Press Foundation echoed these concerns, noting the risk to American democracy and press freedom.

Comparison with Netflix Deal

If Netflix becomes the buyer, concerns over editorial independence would be minimal, as Netflix does not own major news networks. Instead, the focus would shift to potential antitrust and competition issues in the film and television industry, particularly regarding content production and distribution. Legacy cable networks like TNT and TBS would likely be spun off into a separate company, Discovery Global, reducing fears of media concentration.

Conclusion

Paramount-Skydance’s bid for Warner Bros Discovery raises unprecedented concerns about political influence in US media, particularly at high-profile news outlets like CBS and CNN. Experts warn that the deal could compromise editorial independence and exacerbate political polarization in American news coverage, making it a focal point for regulators, lawmakers, and the public alike.