Paramount Global is the corporate home of CBS, Paramount Pictures, and Paramount+, producing television, film, and streaming content consumed worldwide. The brand has faced criticism for exclusionary practices, particularly the lack of Latino representation in its films and shows, and for the outsized cultural influence it wields in shaping narratives and visibility.
Recent controversies have underscored its political entanglements: a $16 million settlement with Donald Trump in 2025 raised concerns about editorial independence, while the merger with Skydance heightened fears of consolidation in an already concentrated media landscape. As a global content producer, Paramount’s brand represents both cultural power and corporate control over representation.
Paramount’s greatest impacts occur through its control over representation, narratives, and editorial direction—shaping cultural access, political discourse, and public perception on a global scale.
Human Rights: Paramount Global has faced documented criticism from civil-rights groups for excluding Latino talent from its films and television programming. Reports from the National Hispanic Media Coalition and MALDEF found that in 2016 and 2017, Paramount released no major films with Latino directors, writers, or lead actors. This persistent underrepresentation limits access to industry opportunities, reinforces systemic barriers in media employment, and diminishes cultural visibility for an entire demographic.
Political Influence: As a major broadcaster and content producer, Paramount Global has significant agenda-setting power. Its 2025 $16 million settlement with Donald Trump—finalized shortly before federal approval of the Skydance merger—sparked scrutiny from lawmakers and press-freedom advocates over potential political influence in corporate decision-making. The company’s merger with Skydance has also drawn criticism for increasing media consolidation, raising concerns about reduced editorial independence and diversity of viewpoints.
While Paramount Global is not involved in arms production, its position as a cultural gatekeeper shapes public narratives about global conflicts. The framing, selection, and omission of certain topics in news coverage and entertainment programming can indirectly normalize or downplay state violence, making the company a soft-power actor in conflict-related discourse.