Media News Daily: Top Stories for 10/09/2025

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.

HarperCollins UK Apologizes for Unverified Claims About Melania Trump and Jeffrey Epstein

HarperCollins UK issued a public apology on Tuesday after publishing unverified claims in Andrew Lownie’s book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York suggesting Melania Trump was introduced to Donald Trump through Jeffrey Epstein. The publisher confirmed it is removing all editions containing the disputed passages from circulation and stated, “HarperCollins UK apologizes to the first lady.” The apology follows earlier public disputes and legal pushback from Trump’s legal team, including demands for retractions from political figures and online personalities who repeated similar claims. (Read More) (The Hill Rating)

Local Nonprofit News Outlets Lead Industry in Revenue Growth, New INN Report Finds

Local nonprofit newsrooms are thriving, with 83% reporting at least 10% revenue growth over the last three years, according to the 2025 Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) Index. The report shows that these organizations outperform their state, national, and global counterparts in terms of financial sustainability and community engagement. Philanthropic funding and expanded earned revenue streams are identified as key drivers of growth. The study also highlights significant growth in newsletter subscriptions and increased use of AI, particularly for transcription and outreach tasks. (Read More) (Nieman Lab Rating)

Pentagon Faces Media Backlash Over Restrictive Press Guidelines

Media organizations and the Pentagon Press Association (PPA) are pushing back against the Department of Defense’s new press access rules, accusing the Pentagon of creating a chilling effect on press freedom. While the updated draft no longer requires pre-approval of journalists’ stories, it allows for press credentials to be revoked for pursuing unapproved information. The PPA criticized the policy as “unprecedented” and intimidating, also noting plans to relocate press offices and mandate additional ID badges. CNN and press freedom groups expressed concern that the changes hinder transparency and violate First Amendment rights. (Read More) (The Hill Rating)