A bribe, the death of DEI, and total disregard for the First Amendment—this FCC decision signals real danger for American journalism.

Let’s not beat around the bush. The FCC didn’t approve the Skydance Media–Paramount merger because it passed some objective test of media market fairness or public interest. No, it got rubber-stamped because someone paid off a racist convicted felon and said they’d get rid of anything remotely resembling diversity. Mission accomplished.

We’re supposed to pretend this is normal. It’s not. Trust in government was already hanging by a thread since January 20, but now? That thread has snapped, and the FCC is gleefully ziplining into authoritarian territory. Two of the three commissioners voted yes, meaning the agency tasked with regulating media just greenlit a hostile takeover of American press values—because it aligns with the racist convicted felon’s anti-DEI, anti-journalism crusade. But sure, let’s all just pretend this is about “competition.”

Meanwhile, that same felon is suing The Wall Street Journal to protect a literal pedophile—and somehow, the FCC thinks Stephen Colbert is the problem?

This isn’t oversight. It’s complicity.

Let’s talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Or rather, the lack of it. Because Skydance Media proudly declared it has no diversity, equity, or inclusion programs—and promised it never will.

“Skydance, which has no DEI programs in place today, has committed that it will not establish any such initiatives at the new company and confirms that New Paramount will also be committed to equal opportunity employment and nondiscrimination. This will ensure that the combined business will enact policies and practices consistent with the law and the public interest.”

Oh yes, nothing screams “public interest” like corporate whitewashing, media consolidation, and the purging of programs designed to hire anyone who isn’t a straight white man in a blue blazer. “Equal opportunity” is apparently just code for “we asked Stephen Miller to ghostwrite our HR handbook.”

DEI isn’t perfect. We’ve all seen how too many institutions fail to include Jews under the diversity umbrella. But you don’t fix that by nuking the umbrella. You fix it by demanding it cover everyone—not just the people who yell the loudest on Truth Social.

Then there’s the laughable claim that Skydance Media will protect journalistic integrity at CBS. Sure, and I’m the Queen of England.

“Skydance has made written commitments to ensuring that the new company’s array of news and entertainment programming will embody a diversity of viewpoints across the political and ideological spectrum and that CBS’s reporting will be fair, unbiased, and fact-based. To promote transparency and increased accountability, Skydance commits, for a period of at least two years, to have in place an ombudsman who will report to the President of New Paramount and evaluate complaints of bias.”

Translation: We’ll let CBS report facts—as long as they align with our talking points. And if they don’t? Well, we’ve got a nice little internal ratline straight to the top.

Let’s be real. The only reason The Late Show with Stephen Colbert got axed was because it’s one of the few remaining platforms willing to hold power accountable. Can’t have that in the New America™, where press freedom is “woke” and diversity is “un-American.”

Fortunately, not everyone on the FCC rolled over. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez came out swinging in her dissent, linking the deal to a payout settling a baseless lawsuit and other troubling concessions:

“After months of cowardly capitulation to this Administration, Paramount finally got what it wanted. Unfortunately, it is the American public who will ultimately pay the price for its actions.

“In an unprecedented move, this once-independent FCC used its vast power to pressure Paramount to broker a private legal settlement and further erode press freedom. Once again, this agency is undermining legitimate efforts to combat discrimination and expand opportunity by overstepping its authority and intervening in employment matters reserved for other government entities with proper jurisdiction on these issues. Even more alarming, it is now imposing never-before-seen controls over newsroom decisions and editorial judgment, in direct violation of the First Amendment and the law.

“After the FCC buried the outcome of backroom negotiations with other regulated entities, like Verizon and T-Mobile, I urged for us to bring the Paramount proceeding into the light. I’ve long believed the public has a right to know how Paramount’s capitulation evidences an erosion of our First Amendment protections, and I’m pleased that FCC leadership ultimately agreed to my call for every Commissioner to vote on this transaction. Granting approval behind closed doors, under the cover of bureaucratic process, would have been an inappropriate way to shield this Administration’s coordinated campaign to censor speech, control narratives, and silence dissent.

“Despite this regrettable outcome, this Administration is not done with its assault on the First Amendment. In fact, it may only be beginning. 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.

“For all these reasons, I dissent.”

She’s right. This isn’t just regulatory overreach—it’s a warning shot. The FCC isn’t just approving mergers. It’s deciding who gets to have a voice. And if your newsroom doesn’t toe the line? Better hope your ombudsman has a spine.

When Carr was asked about Gomez’s warning on CNBC—specifically her comment about “never-before-seen controls over newsroom decisions”—his response was, “I think it’s time for a change.”

Really, Brendan? A change from what—independent journalism? Reality? The First Amendment?

Here’s a thought: If you want state-run media where the government controls what stories can run and which hosts get fired, might I recommend a country whose name rhymes with “Shmermany in the 1930s”?

What Carr and company are doing isn’t reform. It’s sabotage. And make no mistake: approving this deal under these conditions sets a precedent. One that rewards ideological loyalty and punishes dissent.

The FCC should regulate media markets, not morals. It should protect access, not privilege. And it damn sure shouldn’t be deciding which voices are too inclusive to be allowed on the air.

This merger is an embarrassment. The approval is a disgrace. And unless we speak out, this won’t be the last newsroom to fall.

Please subscribe to Solzy on Buttondown and visit Dugout Dirt.