What Next | Daily News and Analysis How Big Media Obeys in Advance
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Sep 22, 2025 Nitish Pahwa, a staff writer at Slate who covers the intersection of media, tech, and politics, dives into the unsettling trends in media consolidation. He discusses how major players like Paramount and Disney are bending to the will of the Trump administration and FCC chair Brendan Carr. Pahwa highlights the dangers of the Ellison family's influence on CBS and the implications of local stations' control on free speech, specifically referencing the controversial firing of Jimmy Kimmel. The conversation sheds light on the precarious future of media independence.
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FCC Chair's Public Pressure Works
- Brendan Carr used public threats about broadcast licenses to pressure networks and shape outcomes.
- Media owners folded quickly to avoid regulatory pain and possible retaliation.
Self‑Interest Drives Media Capitulation
- Big media companies often prioritize self-interest over editorial independence when threatened.
- That calculus accelerates consolidation and reduces willingness to confront power.
Merger Review Became A Political Lever
- Brendan Carr intervened publicly during the Paramount/Skydance merger review, signaling influence.
- His comments about broadcast licenses and bias scared networks into compliance.
