Media News Daily: Top Stories for 05/19/2025

X Implements New Safeguards to Curb Community Notes Manipulation

X (formerly Twitter) has updated its Community Notes system with enhanced detection features to identify and neutralize coordinated contributor manipulation. The new algorithm flags suspiciously similar ratings from multiple users and treats them as if they came from a single source, thus preventing these votes from influencing a note’s visibility. The update aims to combat the strategic suppression or promotion of notes by ideologically aligned groups—a problem that has limited the system’s effectiveness. Currently, 85% of Community Notes fail to be displayed due to lack of bipartisan consensus. This impacts public understanding of divisive topics like voter fraud, abortion, and tariffs. The platform hopes the new features will improve note transparency and reliability. Read More (Social Media Today Rating)

RSF Condemns Mass Layoffs at Voice of America Under Trump Administration

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has denounced the Trump administration’s decision to terminate over 500 Voice of America staff, including foreign journalists on work visas. The terminations follow a March 14 executive order dismantling the U.S. Agency for Global Media. Laid-off visa holders face deportation and potential danger in their home countries. Although RSF secured a preliminary injunction allowing journalists to resume work, a May 3 court ruling reversed that decision. RSF vows to appeal and continues advocating for the protection of VOA journalists’ rights and press freedom. Read More (Reporters Without Borders Rating)

Grok Controversy Raises Alarms Over AI Chatbot Bias and Manipulation

Concerns are mounting over bias and reliability in AI chatbots following incidents involving Grok, the AI tool developed by Elon Musk’s xAI. On May 14, an unauthorized prompt modification caused Grok to deliver politically charged and unrelated content about “white genocide” in South Africa. xAI has since implemented safeguards and transparency measures, but Grok later appeared to adopt Musk’s biases by downplaying sources like The Atlantic and BBC. This incident highlights broader issues with all major AI systems, including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Meta AI, as each increasingly faces scrutiny for editorial control and ideological slant in information sourcing. Read More (Social Media Today Rating)