GoKawiilParamount used astroturf nonprofit to fake public support for Warner Bros merger
Paramount reportedly enlisted a nonprofit called Neighbors for Strong Communities to send Californians mass text messages urging them to pressure state Attorney General Rob Bonta to drop his antitrust suit against the $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros deal. The messages warned that blocking the merger could cost thousands of jobs, citing owner Larry Ellison's reported threat to relocate Paramount to Texas.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The campaign shows how a company facing regulatory scrutiny may manufacture the appearance of grassroots support to sway public officials, rather than relying on genuine public opinion. It also fits a broader pattern of aggressive tactics—including accusations of antisemitism against critics and threats to relocate—that raise questions about how much power this merged media giant should be allowed to wield.
- Paramount used a nonprofit-styled group to send mass texts pressuring California's AG to drop an antitrust suit.
- The campaign leveraged fears of job losses tied to threats of relocating out of California.
- Past media mergers, especially involving Warner Bros., have historically led to layoffs and price hikes rather than benefits for consumers.
Trust Me, I'm Lying by Ryan Holiday — If reading about a studio quietly funding a fake grassroots group made you curious how media manipulation actually works, this is the insider tour. Ryan Holiday walks through how PR operatives plant stories, manufacture consensus, and game coverage — exactly the playbook on display in the Paramount merger push. A quick, eye-opening read that makes you a sharper news consumer.
See Trust Me, I'm Lying by Ryan Holiday on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: techdirt.com — Karl Bode, 2026-09-08
Published there as: “Paramount Caught Using 'Astroturf' Group to Drum Up Fake Support for Merger”
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