Latest news with #OliviaTrusty
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'This Is a Dangerous Thing': Why One FCC Commissioner Is Sounding the Alarm on Paramount's Deal
When the FCC approved the Paramount-Skydance merger Thursday, one commissioner blasted the decision, calling it an act of 'cowardly capitulation' on behalf of Paramount and warning that this could lead to a further 'erosion of our First Amendment protections.' The commissioner, Anna M. Gomez, is one of three leaders at the FCC, in addition to Chairman Brendan Carr and fellow commissioner Olivia Trusty, and is the only Democrat on the commission. She was a Biden nominee and appointed to the post in 2023. More from The Hollywood Reporter Dissenting FCC Commissioner: Paramount Chose "Capitulation Over Courage" In Dealing With Trump Paramount-Skydance Merger Approved by FCC, Clearing Way for $8 Billion Deal Close 'South Park' Lives: Paramount Inks New Deal With Creators, Library Moving to Paramount+ The commissioners voted 2-1 Thursday to approve the Paramount-Skydance deal, with Gomez dissenting and condemning the 'unprecedented moves' by the 'once-independent FCC' used to broker the deal, including the elimination of DEI programs and putting controls on newsroom decisions at CBS, including agreeing to appoint an ombudsman to evaluate complaints of bias. Her dissenting vote was largely related to those issues, rather than the merger itself, as well as Paramount's $16 million settlement to resolve the lawsuit filed by President Trump against 60 Minutes, which was largely seen as paving the way for the merger with Skydance. 'The Paramount payout and this reckless approval have emboldened those who believe the government can—and should—abuse its power to extract financial and ideological concessions, demand favored treatment, and secure positive media coverage. It is a dark chapter in a long and growing record of abuse that threatens press freedom in this country. But such violations endure only when institutions choose capitulation over courage. It is time for companies, journalists, and citizens alike to stand up and speak out, because unchecked and unquestioned power has no rightful place in America,' Gomez wrote in her initial statement. Gomez, who has also been raising the alarm across the country in what she's calling a 'First Amendment tour,' spoke with The Hollywood Reporter Friday about what's been happening at the FCC and what she's urging the public to do. In your statement, you say you moved this from what you call a backroom deal to a full commission vote. Can you talk about why you pushed for the full commission vote? What the commission has been doing with these transactions is adopting them at the bureau level, so they're not done with a full commission vote. And what's happening is these companies are being pressured to agree to alter their practices in order to get approval of a transaction, and these practices that they're being pressured on are completely unrelated to the transaction themselves. When we approve a transaction, a license transfer, which is what was at issue with Paramount we determine whether it is in the public interest. We look at the benefits and we look at the harms caused by the transaction. Very often, if there are harms that are transaction specific, the parties will seek to mitigate the commission's concerns by committing to certain actions. In this case, and in other cases, what we have seen is the commission is demanding, not through votes, but through backroom deals, companies to give up, for example, any diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Now those are completely unrelated to any harms by the transaction, and in this case, they committed to basically imposing controls over newsroom decisions and editorial decisions, again, completely unrelated to the harms and benefits of the transaction. So the benefit of pulling this up to the commission level and having it as a vote is you take it from being a backroom deal to something more transparent. Something that the commission itself has to determine is, is this really in the public interest? Is the commission going to stand on the side of the First Amendment, or is it going to itself capitulate to this administration's demands related to controlling the media and diversity, equity and inclusion practices, which are, in and of themselves, also First Amendment protected practices? Can you characterize the conversations you were having with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioner Olivia Trusty about this deal? The commissioners all talked about the importance of bringing this up to the commission level, and they all agreed. We always talk about transactions, but I don't want to share private conversations. What kinds of other deals could this set a precedent for? We have seen that the commission has demanded other parties to transactions before the commission to also capitulate on, for example, eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs. For example, the commission approved the Verizon-Frontier transaction, which was a $20 billion transaction after a backroom deal in which Verizon agreed to eliminate its diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Same with T-Mobile. So what this does is it opens the door for future abuse on any company coming before the FCC for regulatory approval. This is a dangerous thing. We cannot allow this perversion of our authority to continue. You've asked for companies, journalists and citizens to stand up and speak out about this. What does that look like in your mind? I have been working to shine a light on the abuses of this administration and the erosion of our First Amendment freedoms. I think that anyone who can shine a light and push back is helping protect our democracy. What do you see the FCC's role in that moving forward? What I would like to see is the FCC go back to its core mission and stop interfering with the freedom of the press and the First Amendment rights of all of us. I've been on this First Amendment tour where I am raising my concerns and educating the public about the importance of the First Amendment and protecting our freedoms. And I would hope that people would demand accountability from those in power and push companies to find their courage to stand up for their rights and all of our rights and protect our democracy as they're doing so. Can you talk more about what you see as the repercussions of this merger approval? What I'm concerned is that what we are seeing is corporate parents capitulating in a cowardly way in order to advance their commercial interests. I am hopeful that will not happen. I think courage breeds courage. We've seen examples where parties will push back, and when they do so, it helps others to also gain that courage. All of these attacks are not grounded in anything other than abuse of authority. The facts, the law and the truth are behind us. All it takes is for enough people and entities to push back. Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
FCC clears Skydance-Paramount merger
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has approved the merger between Skydance Media and Paramount (PARAA) (PARA) Global. Commissioner Olivia Trusty said, 'I support today's approval of the Paramount Global and Skydance Media merger. This transaction reflects the free market at work, where private investment, not government intervention, is preserving an iconic American media institution. During its review of the transaction, the Commission determined the merger was lawful and would serve the public interest. This deal brings fresh leadership, new capital, and a clear plan to compete with dominant tech platforms. Skydance's commitment to creative excellence and operational discipline offers New Paramount a real path forward in today's challenging media environment. This is a win for American jobs, American storytelling, and the principle that markets, not Washington, should decide the future of our industries. I want to thank Chairman Carr for his leadership in bringing the merger to a full Commission vote. His commitment to transparency and process has ensured that this matter received the thorough consideration it deserves.' Elevate Your Investing Strategy:
The Verge
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Senate confirms Trump's FCC pick, Olivia Trusty
The Senate confirmed Republican Olivia Trusty to serve on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Tuesday, installing another nominee by President Donald Trump and ending the brief lack of quorum at the agency. The vote was 53-45, with Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) being the only Democrat to vote in her favor. Trusty will join Republican Chair Brendan Carr and Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez on the panel, with two seats remaining empty. Trump has yet to select other nominees for the roles. No more than three commissioners on the independent agency are allowed to be from the same party, though Gomez had expressed doubt that Trump may nominate another Democrat to the agency. Former Republican Commissioner Nathan Simington endorsed his chief of staff, Gavin Wax, a MAGA loyalist who once said Trump's return to office would be a 'time for retribution,' after announcing he'd be stepping down from his post. Trusty was a longtime staffer for Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), who previously served as the top Republican on the Commerce Committee, which oversees the FCC and related issues. Commerce Committee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) said in a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Monday, she opposed Trusty's confirmation largely due to concern with the Trump administration's actions. 'Although I respect the nominee's professional background, when I spoke in support of Ms. Trusty's nomination in Committee on April 30, I explained that my support was not absolute,' Cantwell wrote. 'Since then, the Trump Administration has pursued a series of concerning policies, leading me to oppose Ms. Trusty's nomination.' Cantwell said she's concerned that Trusty's nomination was not paired with a Democratic one, which would be 'consistent with longstanding practice,' she wrote. She pointed to Trump's attempted firing of two Democratic commissioners at the Federal Trade Commission, another agency created to be independent from the president and whose commissioners the Supreme Court has said cannot be fired without cause. 'I remain seriously concerned that this Administration will try to illegally terminate Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez, refuse to nominate any Democratic replacements, and then operate the Commission on a strictly partisan basis,' Cantwell wrote. 'These are not normal times' Trusty's confirmation gives Carr a 2-1 Republican majority to carry out his agenda, including slashing agency regulations and pursuing action against media outlets he views as countering the administration. 'I look forward to welcoming Olivia to the Commission as a colleague and advancing an agenda that will deliver great results for the American people,' Carr said in a statement. Gomez similarly praised Trusty's experience and welcomed her to the panel. 'I have known Olivia for years and have been very impressed with her strong background in communications policy, which will be a great asset to this agency,' Gomez wrote in a statement. 'In normal times, there'd be little reason to oppose the confirmation of a candidate as qualified as Trusty. But these are not normal times.' Matt Wood, VP of policy and general counsel of nonpartisan group Free Press Action, said in a statement. 'Trusty's confirmation gives Carr the majority he needs to radically reshape the media sector in Trump's image, including offering policy favors to large broadcasters in exchange for their unwavering loyalty to the president.'
Reuters
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
US Senate confirms Republican congressional aide to serve on FCC
WASHINGTON, June 17 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Republican Senate aide Olivia Trusty to serve on the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, days after two members of telecommunications regulator resigned. Democratic FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks and Republican Nathan Simington stepped down on June 6. Trusty was confirmed on Tuesday to serve a term that lasts through June 30. A second vote is planned for Trusty to serve a five-year-term starting July 1.
The Verge
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
There are only two commissioners left at the FCC
After the departure of one Republican and one Democratic commissioner on Friday, the Federal Communications Commission is down to two members, falling below the quorum threshold for what's typically a five-person panel. Commissioners Nathan Simington and Geoffrey Starks stepped down at the end of the week. That leaves Republican Chair Brendan Carr and Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez as the two remaining voting members. President Donald Trump has nominated Republican Senate staffer Olivia Trusty to the commission, but the chamber has yet to vote on her confirmation, which left the agency deadlocked even before these departures. The FCC is in charge of everything from broadband regulations and subsidies funds, to telecommunications mergers enforcement, to spectrum auctions. Without a three-member quorum, some of that work, and the agenda of Trump-aligned Carr, is left in limbo. Starks and Simington both announced the date of their departures earlier this week, though Starks indicated in March that he planned to step down; neither offered specific reasons for their departure. Carr indicated he intends to keep up the pace, writing in a blog post that 'the show must go on.' The FCC isn't the only agency short its typical number of commissioners — earlier this year Trump ordered the firing (in violation of Supreme Court precedent) of the two Democratic commissioners on the Federal Trade Commission. There's a lot that Carr can at least try to do while awaiting a quorum, even without another Republican commissioner to vote on more partisan proposals. Carr has already used so-called delegated authority to let the FCC's various bureaus carry out the agency's work without a vote from the full commission. Verizon's $20 billion deal to buy Frontier was recently approved by the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau, for example, which Gomez criticized as a 'backroom' deal that should have been brought to a full commission vote. Gomez and Carr can also operate as a two-member board of the commissioners under Rule 0.212, allowing them to do most things they normally would besides issue final rules or actions, according to Public Knowledge senior vice president Harold Feld. That could hold up any final action to roll back a host of regulations through Carr's 'Delete, Delete, Delete' initiative, spurred by a Trump executive order, but allow for new notices of proposed rulemakings or other first steps — so long as they can both agree on them. Even if the commission can likely accomplish most of its day-to-day work, Feld warns that operating without a quorum under confusing legal precedents could be risky. 'It puts a cloud over everything,' he says. It could also cause problems if the Supreme Court issues an awaited ruling on the future of the Universal Service Fund, which helps subsidize communications services for rural and low-income households, and requires changes that would need to be approved by a commission vote. Though a Senate vote on Trusty's confirmation could be scheduled in the coming month or two and officially end the limbo, Feld worries about what could happen if it stretches into hurricane season. After past natural disasters, he says, the FCC has broken red tape to get money for telecommunications networks repairs out faster. 'That potentially might be a problem if the FCC doesn't have a quorum,' he says. 'How much are we handicapped in the event of a weather-related crisis? Will we just decide that the bureaus can act on delegated authority? … [Or] is the commission going to be paralyzed to act in the face of a crisis?'
