Media News Daily: Top Stories for 04/13/2025

Al Hurra Shuts Down Most Operations Amid U.S. Funding Freeze

Al Hurra, a U.S.-funded Arabic-language broadcaster, has cut most of its staff and halted TV programming. CEO Jeffrey Gedmin blamed the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency for freezing congressionally approved funding. Gedmin accused Kari Lake, head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, of deliberately blocking access to funds. Al Hurra, launched in 2003, was one of the few independent voices in the region. A small team will maintain online operations during legal proceedings. Read More (Associated Press Rating)

Sarah Palin’s Defamation Case Against NYT Gets a Re-Do

Sarah Palin is set to retry her defamation lawsuit against The New York Times over a 2017 editorial linking her to a mass shooting. Though she lost the original case, an appeals court ordered a retrial due to jurors learning of the judge’s pre-verdict dismissal. The case revisits key press freedom protections, though Palin is not seeking financial damages. The same judge will preside over the retrial, expected to last at least a week. Read More (NPR Rating)

EU May Tax Google, Meta Ads in Response to U.S. Tariffs

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned the EU could tax digital ad revenue from Google and Meta if talks with Trump’s administration fail to resolve tariff disputes. The move would target U.S. tech firms dominating the European market. Industry leaders expect rising costs and shifts in advertising spend if the tax is enacted. Von der Leyen emphasized a preference for a negotiated solution. Read More (MediaPost Rating)