Media News Daily: Top Stories for 02/18/2025

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.

Missouri Attorney General Drops Investigation into Media Matters

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has officially ended his investigation into Media Matters for America regarding its 2023 report that revealed advertisements from major brands appearing alongside pro-Nazi content on X (formerly Twitter). Bailey’s office filed court documents stating it found no evidence that Media Matters had violated Missouri law. The decision follows a legal battle dating back to late 2023, when Bailey and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched investigations around the same time that X sued Media Matters for allegedly manipulating its algorithms. Media Matters fought back, arguing the probes were an attempt to suppress its First Amendment rights. While Bailey has dropped his case, Paxton’s appeal remains pending in the D.C. Circuit Court. (Read More – MediaPost Rating)

Meta Admits Facebook Page Warning About Child Audience Was a Mistake

Meta has acknowledged that an alert sent to some Facebook Page managers last week, asking them to confirm that their Page was not aimed at children under 13, was sent in error. The message, which caused confusion among some Page owners, appeared to be part of an effort to ensure compliance with Facebook’s Terms of Use, which prohibit children under 13 from using the platform. Meta has since fixed the issue, stating, “We are aware of this bug and have corrected it.” While this specific alert was a mistake, Meta’s focus on age-appropriate content enforcement suggests that stricter measures may be introduced in the future. (Read More – Social Media Today Rating)

Three Years of War: Nearly 150 Journalists Targeted in Ukraine

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, at least 150 journalists have been killed, injured, detained, or reported missing, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The latest figures include 13 journalists killed, 47 injured, 18 detained by Russian forces, and one still missing. Russian forces have also struck television and radio towers 23 times, part of a broader effort to suppress independent news. Additionally, 329 Ukrainian media outlets have shut down due to war-related financial hardships, staff shortages, and direct attacks. RSF continues to support Ukrainian journalists through emergency grants and its Press Freedom Center in Kyiv. (Read More – Reporters Without Borders Rating)