Why Paramount-Warner merger has sparked fears about press freedom

Paramount Skydance has completed its takeover of Warner Bros Discovery, bringing CNN and CBS News under the same corporate ownership, in a deal that has raised concerns about editorial independence and freedom of speech.The acquisition, worth about $110bn including debt, combines two of Hollywood’s biggest studios after months of legal challenges lodged by state attorneys general and unions.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4UK Greens are wrong – Zionism is not racismlist 2 of 4Yes, Zionism is racismlist 3 of 4Palestinian killed, several wounded in Israeli pogrom in occupied West Banklist 4 of 4Israeli soldier assaults Palestinian woman in occupied West Bankend of listThe new company, Skydance Corporation, brings together HBO, CBS, Nickelodeon, Showtime, Comedy Central, DC Studios and Food Network, alongside streaming services Paramount plus and HBO Max.But its control of two major US news organisations has drawn particular scrutiny. David Ellison, Skydance’s chairman and chief executive, has promised to preserve their editorial independence, but his father, Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison is a major financial backer of the deal, and has previously donated funds to US Pre...