Media News Daily: Top Stories for 03/04/2025

Supreme Court Declines to Hear Bias Response Team Case, Drawing Dissent from Justices Thomas and Alito

The Supreme Court has declined to review a challenge to Indiana University’s “bias response team,” a program that allows students to report perceived bias incidents. Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justice Samuel Alito, dissented, arguing the court should resolve conflicting federal rulings on whether such programs chill free speech. Critics claim these teams pressure students to self-censor, while supporters note their lack of direct disciplinary authority. The decision leaves students facing a “patchwork of First Amendment rights” across different judicial circuits. (Read More – Washington Examiner Rating)

New Report Shows AI Chatbots Provide Minimal Traffic to News Publishers

Tollbit, an analytics platform, has released its first AI User Agent Index, revealing that AI chatbots drive 95.7% less traffic to publishers than traditional Google search (We Know!). The News/Media Alliance criticized AI companies for repurposing journalistic content without directing sufficient traffic back to publishers, threatening their revenue models. While supporting responsible AI use, the Alliance argues that AI firms must compensate publishers fairly to ensure the sustainability of journalism. (Read More – Editor & Publisher)

Sen. John Kennedy Introduces Bill to Defund NPR and PBS

Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) has proposed the “No Propaganda Act,” seeking to eliminate federal funding for NPR and PBS. He argues taxpayer dollars should not support what he calls “opinion journalism,” pointing to NPR’s $200 million headquarters and high executive salaries. Kennedy claims viewership is declining and that public broadcasters should survive on private donations. The proposal follows previous GOP efforts to defund public broadcasting, as well as NPR’s high-profile dispute with Elon Musk over being labeled “state-affiliated media” on X. (Read More – Washington Examiner Rating)