LULAC, Faith Leaders File Motion to Delay Approval of Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Consent Decree, Give Time to File Amicus Brief in Opposition to the Weak Settlement
Washington, DC – Today, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) submitted a motion for leave to file an amicus brief in opposition to the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger consent decree that was announced on Monday. The proposed consent decree raises grave concerns over whether the issues flagged in the original suit brought by 12 state attorneys general to block the merger, including harms to competition and journalistic independence, are adequately addressed. Specifically, LULAC argues that concerns over the merger’s effect on Latino storytellers, journalists, production workers, small businesses, and audiences remain unaddressed. LULAC had originally raised these flags in a letter to California Attorney General Bonta in August.
As proposed, the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger would likely lead to job loss, fewer diverse voices and narratives across film and television, and would weaken independent journalism. The proposed consent decree, as agreed to by AG Bonta and Paramount, does not appear to fully address any of these and relies solely on unenforceable behavioral remedies.
Together, a proposed amici would help to provide the perspective of the 16.2 million Latino and 2.5 million Black Californians, the 4.8 million Latino and 863,000 Black residents of Los Angeles County, and the over 2.5 million jobs supported by minority-owned businesses in California. Neither the Plaintiff States nor the Defendants have adequately represented that perspective before this Court.
“The dangers of media consolidation, particularly those to Latino workers, storytellers, and audiences, cannot be swept under the rug simply because a deal was struck in the boardroom,” said Juan Proaño, national CEO of LULAC. “Today we ask the court to give us the chance to argue the true extent of these harms and delay approving this weak consent decree. The Latino community, and so many others, deserve their day in court. They are the ones who will pay the price for this Ellison sweetheart deal.”
Reverend Dr. Boise Kimber is President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., a title provided for identification purposes only; he joins as amicus in his individual capacity. As a religious leader whose ministry includes advocacy for social justice, Dr. Kimber would bring a distinct perspective on the importance of independent news programming and diverse cultural expression to Black communities. His interest concerns whether the proposed decree adequately addresses the loss of competition alleged in the complaint, including the resulting risks to the range of voices, viewpoints, and experiences reflected in news and entertainment, and the threats to Black small businesses and workers. His participation would assist the Court in assessing the proposed remedies’ adequacy from the perspective of communities whose access to information and opportunities for representation may be affected by the transaction.
"A settlement of this magnitude should protect the public interest, not simply smooth the path to closing," said Roman Palomares, LULAC national president and chairman of the board. "Latinos are nearly 1 in 5 Americans and among the most loyal audiences in film and television. Yet this agreement is silent on whether our community will be seen on screen, heard in newsrooms, or hired behind the camera. LULAC will not accept a framework that treats the nation's largest minority community as an afterthought."
The proposed amici are represented by Matthew A. Seligman, principal of Grayhawk Law, P.C.
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About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization. Founded in 1929, LULAC is committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of Latino Americans through advocacy, community building, and education. With a growing network of councils nationwide, LULAC remains steadfast in its mission to protect and empower millions of Latinos, contributing daily to America's prosperity. For more information about LULAC and its initiatives, please visit www.lulac.org/.