Media News Daily: Top Stories for 10/03/2025

Elon Musk Joins Conservative Call to Boycott Netflix Over Controversial Comments by Children’s Show Creator

Elon Musk has canceled his Netflix subscription, aligning with conservative voices calling for a boycott after screenshots allegedly showed Dead End: Paranormal Park creator Hamish Steele calling activist Charlie Kirk a “Nazi” following Kirk’s assassination. The authenticity of the screenshots remains unverified, and Steele’s account has been made private. Critics also cited Steele’s inclusion of transgender characters as indicative of a broader “woke” agenda by Netflix. Musk reposted cancellation screenshots on X with comments like “Cancel Netflix for the health of your kids,” further amplifying criticism of LGBTQ+ themes in children’s content. (Read More) (Washington Examiner Rating)

Colorado Reopens Review into Hunter S. Thompson’s 2005 Death at Widow’s Request

Authorities in Colorado are reopening the investigation into the 2005 death of journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson, originally ruled a suicide. The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation are conducting a review prompted by Thompson’s widow, Anita Thompson, to address lingering public questions. No new evidence has surfaced, and no reexamination of remains is planned. Thompson, the founder of “gonzo journalism,” was 67 when he died by gunshot in his Aspen home. His death remains culturally significant, with many still questioning its circumstances. (Read More) (Associated Press Rating)

Court Rejects Fox News Journalist’s Privilege Claim in Privacy Act Case

The D.C. Circuit Court ruled that journalist Catherine Herridge must reveal her confidential source in a lawsuit brought by Yanping Chen, a Chinese-American academic who claims Fox News violated the Privacy Act by publishing leaked FBI documents. Herridge argued for First Amendment protection under reporter’s privilege, but the court upheld precedent that such privilege can be overridden when the information is central to the case and all other sources have been exhausted. Chen alleges the leaked info, including photos from an FBI search, harmed her career and university. The court rejected arguments that public interest outweighs Chen’s claims. (Read More) (Reason Rating)