Democrats who reclaimed majorities in the House and Senate this week are expected to examine the Trump administration’s dealings with media companies, including the government’s role in recent corporate mergers and sales involving Paramount and TikTok and the Federal Communications Commission’s review of broadcast licenses.
The potential inquiries come as many Americans express concern about outside influence on news organizations. A June survey by the Pew-Knight Initiative found that a large majority of U.S. adults believe news outlets are at least somewhat influenced by both corporate and political interests. Roughly half said news organizations are influenced a great deal by corporations and financial interests (54%) or by government and political interests (49%).
The survey also showed broad support for the media’s watchdog role. Eighty percent of U.S. adults said criticism from news organizations helps keep political leaders from doing things they shouldn’t, up from 75% in 2025. Majorities in both parties held that view: 89% of Democrats and 73% of Republicans, including those who lean toward each party.
The Republican figure marks an increase from 67% in 2024. That shift runs counter to a recent pattern in which Republicans have typically grown less likely to credit the news media with checking political leaders in the years after a Republican president takes office.
Democratic control of both chambers gives the party power to schedule hearings, issue subpoenas and conduct oversight of executive branch actions involving media companies. Lawmakers have not yet detailed specific targets or timelines, but the combination of high-profile corporate transactions and ongoing FCC license reviews has drawn attention as an area ripe for scrutiny once the new Congress convenes.
Public wariness of influence on the press has remained elevated across recent years of the Pew-Knight surveys, even as views of the media’s accountability function have strengthened. The latest findings indicate that substantial shares of Americans in both parties continue to see journalistic criticism as a restraint on political power, despite differing assessments of how much corporations or government shape news content.