WGAW Applauds the House Judiciary Committee’s Consideration of Antitrust Bills

Los Angeles – The following statement is the Writers Guild of America West's (WGAW) response to today’s markup of antitrust bills in the House Judiciary Committee:

“Writers Guild of America West applauds the House Judiciary Committee for reporting out a package of bipartisan bills that would rein in the power of Big Tech and significantly improve the competitive landscape. Today’s vote marks a critical first step by Congress to revive antitrust laws and hold dominant platforms accountable for stifling competition at the expense of consumers, creators, and workers.

Taken together, these bills could profoundly affect the entertainment industry, where traditional media companies and tech company gatekeepers like Apple and Amazon are rapidly consolidating and entrenching their control. Most recently, Amazon’s intention to add MGM studios to an empire that already dominates markets spanning the entire content value chain—from production via Amazon Studios, to distribution via Prime, to access to consumers via its Channels store and Fire devices—illustrates the imminent need for greater scrutiny and reform. WGAW has been beating the drum for years about the perils of consolidation in our industry and across the economy, and is encouraged by today’s vote.”

The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) is a labor union representing writers of motion pictures, television, radio, and Internet programming, including news and documentaries. Founded in 1933, the Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members. It is involved in a wide range of programs that advance the interests of writers, and is active in public policy and legislative matters on the local, national, and international levels. For more information on the WGAW, please visit: www.wga.org.