Media News Daily: Top Stories for 02/26/2025

Meta Faces Scrutiny Over Controversial ‘Community Notes’ Feature

Meta is moving forward with its new user-based content moderation system, Community Notes, despite concerns from its own Safety Council. The initiative, which replaces Meta’s long-standing fact-checking program, allows users to add context to potentially misleading posts. Critics argue that the feature, similar to X’s model, may be ineffective due to ideological disagreements among users. Studies have shown that a majority of political Community Notes on X never get displayed. Concerns also persist that eliminating fact-checking could expose vulnerable groups to misinformation and hate speech. Meta has begun accepting sign-ups for contributors. (Read More – MediaPost Rating)

White House to Control Press Pool Access, Bypassing WHCA

The White House announced it will take over the selection of journalists in the presidential press pool, a move breaking with decades of tradition upheld by the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA). Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt framed the change as a modernization effort that includes more diverse media outlets. The decision comes amid an ongoing legal battle with the Associated Press (AP), which sued the administration after being barred from events for refusing to use the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.” A federal judge ruled against an immediate restoration of AP’s access but signaled legal concerns over the ban. The WHCA and many journalists view the policy shift as an attempt to control media coverage of the presidency. (Read More – Associated Press Rating)

Fox News Correspondent Slams White House Over Press Pool Takeover

Fox News senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich strongly criticized the Trump administration’s decision to control press pool access, arguing that it consolidates power in the hands of the White House rather than expanding access. Heinrich, a WHCA board member, defended the existing press pool system as democratically managed by journalists from various outlets, ensuring broad coverage of presidential events. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has argued that the new policy will give alternative media greater access while keeping select legacy outlets in rotation. Heinrich countered that the WHCA has long advocated for expanding access, making the administration’s rationale questionable. (Read More – The Hill Rating)