This page hosts daily news stories related to the media and journalism industry. Check back often, as new stories may be added throughout the day.
The Onion Acquires InfoWars in Bankruptcy Auction
The Onion, a satirical media outlet, has won control of InfoWars, the far-right platform formerly run by Alex Jones, in a bankruptcy auction. This move follows Jones’ legal and financial troubles, including $1.5 billion in defamation verdicts awarded to Sandy Hook families. The Onion plans to overhaul the site, replacing conspiracy-driven content with satirical and comedic material. Details of the auction, including the sale price, remain undisclosed. Proceeds from the sale aim to satisfy creditors, primarily Sandy Hook victims’ families. (Read More) – NFN Rating
RSF Files Criminal Charges Against X Over Disinformation and Defamation
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has initiated legal proceedings against X (formerly Twitter), alleging complicity in spreading false and defamatory content. RSF reported that X failed to remove a video falsely attributed to them, despite multiple notifications. The case underscores X’s ineffective moderation under the EU’s Digital Services Act, with RSF accusing the platform of facilitating Kremlin-backed disinformation. RSF has also raised the issue with the European Commission, urging stronger accountability measures for platforms under the DSA. (Read More) – RSF Rating
Donald Trump Threatens Legal Action Against Media Outlets Over Coverage
Donald Trump’s legal team has issued a $10 billion defamation threat to The New York Times and Penguin Random House over claims in recent articles and books critical of him. Trump has also sued CBS News, alleging bias in a “60 Minutes” segment, and filed an FEC complaint against The Washington Post. These actions signal heightened legal pressure on media outlets amid Trump’s second presidential campaign, raising concerns about potential chilling effects on journalism. (Read More) – CJR Rating
X’s Community Notes Feature Falls Short on Election Disinformation
An analysis of X’s Community Notes feature during the U.S. Election Day reveals limited effectiveness in moderating misinformation. Only 29% of fact-checkable tweets received “helpful” notes, with most notes addressing minor claims rather than key election issues. The feature struggled to fact-check widely viewed disinformation, highlighting gaps in the platform’s ability to counteract misinformation during critical events. (Read More) – Poynter Rating
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