Foreign Influence Over American Media: A Recipe for Trouble

The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to allow Gulf state wealth funds to own nearly half of Paramount-Warner Bros. has sent shockwaves through the media and politics communities. This move waives existing rules on foreign equity ownership, raising serious concerns about external influence over American media.

The FCC’s motivation for making this exception is unclear, but its own rules dictate that foreign entities should hold no more than 25 percent of a media company’s equity. In this case, the commission is allowing a staggering 49.5 percent stake. This decision upends the status quo and invites foreign influence into one of America’s most powerful media conglomerates.

The FCC justifies its move by stating that these entities will not have voting rights, thereby precluding any real influence over the company. However, history has shown that control without voting power can still be a potent force. The Saudi Arabian government’s subtle manipulation of Western media narratives through its ownership of influential outlets like The Guardian is a notable example.

This development raises far-reaching and worrying implications. A group with significant influence over Paramount-Warner Bros. could potentially wield considerable sway over what stories get told, how they’re told, and by whom. It’s not just about the money; it’s also about the message that these investors will want to convey through their ownership.

The FCC has a history of being lenient towards foreign interests while cracking down on American voices. During the Trump administration, the agency attempted to silence late-night TV hosts and bully journalists. This suggests that the commission reserves its real teeth for domestic critics rather than global wealth funds with their own agendas.

A merger between Paramount-Warner Bros. and these Gulf state wealth funds is still pending an antitrust suit filed by California and 11 other states. Even if this deal falls through, the precedent set by the FCC’s decision will make it easier for foreign entities to exert control over American media in the future.

Anna Gomez, the only Democratic member of the FCC, has expressed concerns about the investment: “This secures influence over what gets said and made.” This reality should give every American pause. Safeguarding our media landscape from foreign interference is crucial not just for national security but also to preserve the integrity of our democratic institutions.

The FCC’s decision to allow foreign ownership of Paramount-Warner Bros. sets a troubling precedent that will have far-reaching consequences for American media and democracy as a whole.