Carr was asked by CNBC about comments from the sole Democrat remaining on the FCC commission, Anna Gomez, who called the merger approval a “cowardly capitulation to this Administration.” Carr was asked if there was a quid pro quo, something he didn’t directly address.

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump and the Federal Communications Commission have vowed to force American broadcast media outlets to make significant changes. CBS may be just the beginning.

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday approved the merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media

Skydance Media has made additional promises to the FCC in an effort to get approval for its $8 billion merger with Paramount Global.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr praised Skydance Media’s commitment to hire an ombudsman for CBS News after it completes its merger with Paramount Global. The commitment was outlined in a filing with the FCC this week.

Brendan Carr says they have not made a ‘final’ decision on the news distortion matter. Federal Communication Commission Commissioner Brendan Carr testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Communications and Technology Subcommittee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

As part of its agreement to allow an $8 billion merger between media conglomerates Skydance and Paramount, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has assigned a government monitor to CBS (which is owned by Paramount) to rein in perceived "bias" against President Donald Trump and his administration.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr was asked to respond to criticisms of the Trump administration's intervention in the free press.