Astroturf and AI Alleged in Text Push for Paramount-Skydance Merger
An antitrust case over the Paramount-Skydance merger with Warner Bros. alleges an astroturf effort using AI/text messaging to manufacture public support and push California to drop its case. Neighbors for Strong Communities bombarded Californians with texts urging them to contact AG Bonta, warning that merger opposition could cost thousands of jobs if Paramount is moved to Texas. The merger is said to endanger 4,500 industry jobs plus 5,000 more locally in Los Angeles/Hollywood. The Committee for the First Amendment responded, and over 170