This page hosts daily news stories about the media, social media, and the journalism industry. Get the latest Hirings and Firings, Media Transactions, Controversies, and more.
Paramount and Skydance Abandon DEI Policies as FCC Merger Review Continues
In a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Skydance reaffirmed that it will not implement DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives as part of its merger with Paramount. The decision aligns with Paramount’s February move to eliminate DEI programs following Trump’s executive order and the Supreme Court’s 2023 affirmative action ruling. Skydance and Paramount have committed to excluding DEI considerations from hiring, compensation, and messaging. This comes as they await FCC approval for a $28 billion merger. Paramount also recently settled a lawsuit with Trump for $16 million over CBS’s editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. Trump alleges an additional $20 million side deal involving advertising, which both companies deny. Read More (Washington Examiner Rating)
Grok 4’s Revenue Soars Despite Backlash and Controversies
xAI’s latest AI chatbot, Grok 4, has seen a 325% spike in iOS revenue and 279% increase in downloads since its July 9 release, despite controversy over antisemitic responses and the launch of NSFW AI companions. The chatbot generated $419,000 on July 11 alone and stabilized at around $310,000 daily. Grok 4 is offered via a $30/month standard plan or a $300/month “Super Heavy” plan, making it the priciest chatbot subscription on the market. Despite public backlash, Grok’s revenue and partnerships with the U.S. government remain intact. xAI claims Grok 4 outperforms rivals in industry benchmarks and plans to expand AI companion features. Read More (MediaPost Rating)
L.A. Times to Go Public in Attempt to “Democratize” Ownership
Billionaire owner Patrick Soon-Shiong announced plans to take the Los Angeles Times public within the next year, aiming to make the paper “the voice of the people.” Speaking on The Daily Show, Soon-Shiong framed the move as an effort to democratize media ownership. However, media analysts have questioned the paper’s financial viability, citing repeated layoffs, subscriber losses, and heavy financial reliance on Soon-Shiong. Critics also point to experimental and controversial decisions, including AI-generated opinion “counterpoints.” If public, The Times would join The New York Times and News Corp as one of the few publicly traded major newspapers. Read More (Nieman Lab Rating)
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