Emergency Motion Filed in California Federal Court
A coalition of groups operating under the Block the Merger banner submitted an emergency request on Thursday morning in a federal court in California, seeking to challenge Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The motion requests permission to file an amicus brief, which would enable the groups to present their legal arguments in the case.[S1]
Coalition Challenges State Settlement as Inadequate
The coalition members, including The Committee for the First Amendment, Free Press, Freedom of the Press Foundation, Future Film Coalition, and International Documentary Association, issued a statement. They are urging Judge Martínez-Olguín to allow interested parties to formally oppose what they view as a weak and unenforceable consent decree between state attorneys general and Paramount. This decree was reached on Monday.[S1]
Free Press Co-CEO Demands Judicial Scrutiny
Jessica J. González, co-CEO of Free Press and co-counsel on the motion, expressed disappointment with the settlement. She noted that a large number of Americans had urged state attorneys general to uphold the law and protect various interests. González believes the agreement with Paramount fails to do so, and she advocates for a full judicial review of the merger's potential consequences before the judge's final decision.[S1]
