Media News Daily: Top Stories for 12/17/2024

Harris Campaign Aide Accuses Elon Musk of Throttling Left-Leaning Content on X

A top aide to Vice President Kamala Harris accused tech mogul Elon Musk of using his control over X, formerly known as Twitter, to suppress left-leaning content in favor of Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign. Harris’s deputy campaign manager, Rob Flaherty, described Musk’s acquisition of X as “a problem” for Democrats, claiming the platform now amplifies right-wing voices. Reports show Musk spent at least $250 million supporting Trump’s election bid, including large donations to pro-Trump super PACs. Read More – The Hill Rating

Pew Report Shows Shifts in Teen Social Media Usage: YouTube, TikTok Dominate While X and Facebook Decline

New Pew Research Center data highlights a dramatic shift in teen social media habits, with YouTube (73% daily users), TikTok (60%), and Instagram leading the way. In stark contrast, older platforms like Facebook (32%) and X (17%) see limited engagement among users aged 13-17. While Facebook continues to thrive financially, X faces ongoing revenue struggles, with projections indicating a decline to $3.1 billion this year. Experts compare these trends to the cable TV decline in the late 20th century, reflecting shifting preferences of younger audiences. Read More – MediaPost Rating

Trump Threatens Lawsuits Against CBS, Bob Woodward, and Pollsters Over Alleged Media Bias

President-elect Donald Trump renewed attacks on the media, vowing to file lawsuits against CBS, Bob Woodward, and pollster Ann Selzer. Trump claims CBS’s 60 Minutes committed “fraud” by editing Kamala Harris’s interview and accused Selzer of manipulating Iowa polling results ahead of the election. Trump also criticized Pulitzer Prize winners from The New York Times and The Washington Post for their coverage of the “Russia hoax,” calling for the return of awards and financial damages. Legal experts have labeled Trump’s lawsuits as “frivolous and dangerous” for press freedom. Read More – Mediaite Rating

CNN Report Backtracks on Syrian “Rebel Prisoner” Story, Reveals He Was an Assad Intelligence Officer

CNN faced scrutiny after revealing that a prisoner described as a “rebel fighter” in a viral report was actually Salama Mohammad Salama, a former lieutenant in Bashar Assad’s Air Force Intelligence Directorate. Initially framed as a hidden victim of Assad’s regime, Salama was later identified as a notorious figure accused of extortion and harassment in Homs. Reports suggest his imprisonment stemmed from internal disputes over illicit profits. Read More – Washington Examiner Rating