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Citing issues regarding Chinese influence on U.S. broadcast media, the Center for American Rights has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to examine and maybe oppose Paramount Global's (NASDAQ:PARAA) $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. Tuesday's filing was turned in by the nonprofitpublic-interest legal firm. The petition emphasized Skydance Media's relationships to Tencent Holdings, a Chinese business apparently connected to the Chinese Communist Party. A 2018 Los Angeles Times story claims Tencent, a minority investor in Skydance, owns a 5% to 10% interest worth over $100 million. Although the investment might not violate foreign ownership restrictions, the filing pointed out that the FCC should consider if it runs an unnecessary risk of undue foreign influence under the public interest criteria.
The lawsuit also cited controversies around the Skydance and Paramount-produced film Top Gun: Maverick, which purportedly changed a scene to evade offending Chinese officials. Alleging ideological bias and discriminatory policies, the organization also attacked Paramount's CBS News and Television businesses.
Assuming regulatory approvals, the merger is expected to close in the firsthalf of 2025.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.