Groups Oppose Paramount Merger Settlement in Federal Court

A coalition of organizations operating under the Block the Merger banner submitted an amicus brief in the federal court of California on Thursday, arguing that the settlement reached with 12 state attorneys general does not adequately address concerns about competition, creativity and independent journalism.

The brief was filed by Free Press, the Committee for the First Amendment, the Freedom of the Press Foundation, the Future Film Coalition and the International Documentary Association after Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín allowed interested parties to file amicus briefs, with a deadline of 12:01 a.m. PT on Sept. 25.

"Since the terms of the consent decree were announced on Monday morning, few outside of those with a financial interest in this deal have suggested that it addresses the harms to competition, creativity, and independent journalism this merger will cause for years to come," the groups said in a joint statement.

"The arguments laid out in this brief reflect the concerns that just days ago, California Attorney General Bonta also willingly voiced. While we may never know what caused the radical turnabout to deliver such a toothless settlement, we do know that this consent decree bucks governmental safeguards designed to protect the public from harm. The court should reject it outright."

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) also submitted an amicus brief opposing the settlement.