Justice Dept. Faces Pressure on Media Consolidation

Congressional Democrats and consumer advocates, encouraged by the Justice Department’s lawsuit challenging AT&T Inc’s bid to acquire Time Warner Inc., want the agency to stay tough on media mergers amid business-friendly changes at the Federal Communications Commission.

FCC actions so far under President Donald Trump signal a more relaxed regulatory environment, but the picture at the DOJ’s antitrust division is still taking shape. Analysts say we’ll know more after regulators weigh in on a few more big deals like Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc.’s proposed tie-up with Tribune Media Co. and Walt Disney Co.'s bid to acquire 21st Century Fox’s major ...