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Friend,
Last week, I testified before Congress about mergers that could eliminate consumer choices — and damage our democracy.1 Some of these deals would undermine our ability to access news that isn’t filtered through a Trump disinformation machine.
Here’s the deal: Netflix wants to swallow Warner Bros. Discovery for $82.7 billion.
Paramount Skydance also wants to buy WBD, and has mounted a series of hostile takeover bids. And broadcasting-TV giant Nexstar is trying to gobble up its rival TEGNA in a deal that would blatantly violate the law.
These aren't just business deals — they're power grabs. Fewer owners means fewer newsrooms, fewer journalists and fewer voices willing to challenge those in power. It means more pressure on outlets like Warner Bros. Discovery-owned CNN to cave to political bullies. And it means we’re more likely to see the Trump administration’s lies presented as fact.
Free Press is one of the only groups showing up to fight these mergers at every level — in Congress, at the FCC and in the courts.
Will you make your first gift to Free Press today? Your donation will help us take on the biggest media companies in the country.
Here's what we're up against: The Trump administration is weaponizing merger reviews to extract political favors. Companies are installing so-called “bias monitors” and spiking news investigations to win government approval.2 Meanwhile, the administration is justifying the use of force to stop journalists from exercising their free-speech rights — and delivering information people can trust.
On New Year’s Eve, Free Press joined labor unions and civil-rights groups in petitioning the FCC to reject the Nexstar-TEGNA merger. The combined company would reach over 80 percent of U.S. households, far exceeding the legal limit Congress set. We filed detailed legal comments showing the FCC simply cannot approve this deal.
This work isn't glamorous, but it's essential. Every brief we file, every hearing we attend, every coalition we build is part of a long-term strategy to stop a handful of conglomerates from controlling what Americans see, hear and know.
Powerful corporations have armies of lobbyists and lawyers. Free Press has people like you.
Will you make your first donation to Free Press to help us block these media mergers?
With gratitude,
Matt Wood
Vice President of Policy and General Counsel
P.S. Free Press doesn't take a cent from business, government or political parties — which means we can challenge these mega-mergers without any strings attached. Your gift today will directly fund the legal work, research and advocacy we need to protect local journalism and stop media consolidation in its tracks.
1. “‘Mergers Are a Bad Deal for Everyone,’” Free Press, Jan. 7, 2026
2. “CBS News Chief Bari Weiss Pulls 60 Minutes Story, Sparking Outcry,” NPR, Dec. 22, 2025
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