Paramount Skydance Refuses Freedom of the Press Foundation Ad During Merger Process

Paramount Skydance 在合併過程中拒絕播放新聞自由基金會的廣告

Jun 16, 2026, 13:00
USPolitics

Introduction

Paramount Skydance has refused to air a critical advertisement from the Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) during a UFC event televised from the White House.

Paramount Skydance 在白宮電視播映的 UFC 活動中，拒絕播放來自新聞自由基金會 (FPF) 的一段批評廣告。

Main Body

The conflict began when Paramount declined to broadcast a 30-second advertisement on the Paramount+ livestream of UFC Freedom 250. The ad claimed that the $111 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery would threaten the independence of news reporting, especially at CNN. Specifically, the FPF mentioned claims by former 60 Minutes reporter Scott Pelley, who asserted that leaders David Ellison and Bari Weiss wanted to introduce bias and false information to support the Trump administration. Furthermore, the ad pointed out the close relationship between David Ellison and President Trump.

衝突始於 Paramount 拒絕在 UFC Freedom 250 的 Paramount+ 直播中播放一段 30 秒的廣告。該廣告聲稱，Paramount Skydance 與華納兄弟探索 (Warner Bros. Discovery) 之間 1,110 億美元的合併將威脅新聞報導的獨立性，特別是在 CNN。具體而言，FPF 提到前《60 分鐘》記者 Scott Pelley 的指控，他聲稱領導者 David Ellison 和 Bari Weiss 想要引入偏見和錯誤資訊以支持川普政府。此外，該廣告還指出了 David Ellison 與川普總統之間的密切關係。

Paramount explained that the ad was rejected due to a 'conflict of interest.' However, Seth Stern, the FPF's chief of advocacy, disagreed and described the decision as censorship. Stern emphasized that refusing to air criticism of the company shows a lack of respect for the principles of free speech. This situation happens while CBS is already experiencing instability following its acquisition by Skydance Media in August.

Paramount 解釋稱，拒絕該廣告是因為存在「利益衝突」。然而，FPF 的倡議主管 Seth Stern 並不同意，並將此決定描述為審查。Stern 強調，拒絕播放對公司的批評，顯示出對言論自由原則缺乏尊重。而此情況發生之時，CBS 在 8 月被 Skydance Media 收購後，本身已處於不穩定狀態。

Although the Department of Justice approved the merger on Friday, the deal still faces potential legal problems. Reports suggest that attorneys general in New York and California are planning to sue to stop the acquisition. Consequently, these legal actions could delay the merger until after the next midterm elections, which may change the media environment during a politically sensitive time.

儘管司法部在週五批准了此次合併，但該交易仍面臨潛在的法律問題。報導指出，紐約州和加州總檢察長計劃起訴以阻止此次收購。因此，這些法律行動可能會將合併推遲到下次期中選舉之後，而這在政治敏感時期可能會改變媒體環境。

Conclusion

Paramount has blocked the FPF advertisement due to a conflict of interest, while the merger itself faces serious legal challenges from state authorities.

Paramount 因利益衝突封殺了 FPF 的廣告，而合併本身則面臨來自州政府的嚴重法律挑戰。

Vocabulary Learning

🚀 The 'Connecting' Secret: Moving from Simple to Complex

At an A2 level, you probably say: "The merger is happening. The DOJ approved it. Some lawyers want to stop it."

To reach B2, you must stop using short, choppy sentences and start using Logical Connectors. These are words that act like glue, showing how two ideas relate to each other.

🔍 The Analysis: How the Article Does It

Look at these specific triggers from the text that shift the tone from 'basic' to 'professional':

  • Furthermore →\rightarrow Used to add a second, stronger point. (A2 students usually just use 'And' or 'Also').
  • However →\rightarrow Used to show a contradiction. (A2 students usually stick to 'But').
  • Consequently →\rightarrow This is the B2 gold mine. It explains a direct result. Instead of saying "So this happened," you say "Consequently, this happened."
  • Although →\rightarrow This allows you to put two opposite ideas in one sentence.

🛠️ The B2 Upgrade Map

Instead of... (A2)Try using... (B2)Why?
And / AlsoFurthermoreIt sounds more academic and persuasive.
ButHoweverIt signals a formal shift in perspective.
SoConsequentlyIt proves a cause-and-effect relationship.
But (at the start)AlthoughIt makes your sentence structure more sophisticated.

💡 Pro Tip for Fluency

Next time you describe a problem, don't start a new sentence. Use "Consequently" to link the problem to the result.

Example: "The weather was terrible; consequently, the flight was cancelled."

Vocabulary Learning

merger (n.)
The act of combining two or more companies into a single larger organization.
Example:The merger between the two tech giants created a dominant force in the global market.
asserted (v.)
Stated a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.
Example:The lawyer asserted that his client was innocent despite the evidence.
bias (n.)
Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered unfair.
Example:The journalist was accused of political bias in her reporting of the election.
conflict of interest (n. phr.)
A situation in which a person or organization is compromised by competing interests, often between personal gain and professional duty.
Example:The judge stepped down from the case to avoid a conflict of interest.
censorship (n.)
The suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, news, movies, or other art that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security.
Example:The government was criticized for its strict censorship of the internet.
instability (n.)
The state of being unstable; a lack of predictability or reliability in a system or organization.
Example:Economic instability can lead to widespread unemployment and social unrest.
acquisition (n.)
The act of one company buying another company to take control of it.
Example:The acquisition of the small startup allowed the corporation to enter the AI market.
consequently (adv.)
As a result of something that has happened.
Example:He failed to study for the exam; consequently, he received a low grade.
Practice B2 words in a crossword→