Paramount Asks FCC To Approve Up to 100% Foreign Ownership of CBS, CNN

This episode of The Bulwark examines the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) growing political influence under Chair Brendan Carr, highlighting a series of actions that critics argue undermine free speech. The discussion centers on the FCC's move to review Disney's ABC broadcast licenses, allegedly motivated by President Trump's disapproval of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s jokes about the First Lady. The hosts argue this represents a dangerous precedent: using federal regulatory power to punish political opponents, despite Carr’s public image as a 'free speech warrior.' They also explore the broader implications of Paramount’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., which includes a request to the FCC to approve up to 100% foreign ownership—something that contradicts existing 25% foreign ownership rules. The hosts express skepticism about the deal’s true motives, suggesting foreign capital is being used to shield the Ellison family from financial risk while enabling political favoritism. The episode concludes with a broader critique of how the FCC is being weaponized to enforce ideological conformity, with media companies preemptively self-censoring to avoid regulatory threats.