1. Entertainment as National Security
- American film and television are portrayed as a strategic asset that shapes global perceptions of freedom, democracy, and U.S. values.
- Weakening U.S. media companies allow authoritarian nations, particularly China, to fill the cultural vacuum with propaganda.
2. China as the Primary Adversary
- China is repeatedly the main threat due to:
- State control over media
- Global investment in influence campaigns
- Censorship of American films (e.g., Top Gun: Maverick being blocked over a Taiwan patch).
- TikTok is an example of why foreign ownership of media platforms is viewed as dangerous.
3. Merger Framed as Pro‑American Jobs
- The entertainment industry is supporting hundreds of thousands of middle‑class American jobs across multiple states.
- Netflix’s $1 billion New Jersey studio investment is used as evidence that large, stable companies create domestic employment.
- The argument asserts that scale = stability, and stability prevents layoffs.
4. Pro‑Consolidation Argument
- Unlike traditional antitrust concerns, the author claims this merger:
- Does not reduce competition
- Actually protects U.S. production from outsourcing
- Helps resist foreign-backed acquisitions
- Consolidation is defensive, not monopolistic.
5. Opposition to Foreign Capital in Media
- Strong concern is raised over foreign government money (Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Qatar) potentially entering U.S. media.
- Such investments are not neutral and are intended to influence narratives and public opinion.
6. Historical Framing
- Ronald Reagan is cited:
- Culture and storytelling were weapons in the Cold War
- Media independence is essential to freedom
- The merger is consistent with Reagan-era American leadership principles.
7. Call to Action
-
- Share the op-ed
- Contact lawmakers
- Support the merger publicly
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