06:01 AM EST, 01/03/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Paramount Global ( PARAA ) and Skydance Media accused critics of their proposed merger of making "defective" arguments that violate constitutional principles and lack merit and standing, in a regulatory filing submitted Thursday.

"Even if they had standing, neither party identifies any transaction-related harm that could merit denying the applications or imposing conditions," the filing to the Federal Communications Commission said.

The two companies also dismissed arguments by an advocacy group, the Center for American Rights, demanding that the FCC force Paramount property CBS News to adjust its coverage as such an imposition "would be anathema to the First Amendment, because it would put the government in the untenable position of supervising a broadcaster's editorial policies and choices."

The Center for American Rights did not immediately reply to MT Newswires' request for comment.

Paramount agreed to be acquired by Skydance last year in a deal that has been challenged by some groups and garnered rival bids. It has asked the FCC to approve the merger.