Media News Daily: Top Stories for 12/01/2025

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.

Google Dominates U.S. Web Traffic Rankings Despite AI Surge

According to new data from Similarweb visualized by Visual Capitalist, Google remains the most visited website in the U.S., with 16.2 billion monthly visits. YouTube, Facebook, and Amazon follow, while Reddit ranks fifth. ChatGPT, despite its rapid rise, ranks tenth. The list emphasizes website visits rather than mobile app usage, providing a unique insight into desktop and browser traffic patterns. Read More (Social Media Today Rating)

Media and Entertainment Giants Unite Against AI in Copyright Lawsuit

Major publishers, movie studios (including Disney and Paramount), and music industry groups are supporting Thomson Reuters in a key copyright battle against AI firm Ross Intelligence. The dispute centers on Ross using Westlaw headnotes to train its legal AI tool. While Ross claims fair use, a district judge ruled against it earlier this year, prompting an appeal to the 3rd Circuit. Opponents argue Ross’s use was not transformative and poses significant threats to creative industries. Tech groups like NetChoice support Ross, asserting the AI’s outputs are distinct. The case could set a major precedent for AI training and copyright law. Read More (MediaPost Rating)

Politico Violated AI Labor Safeguards, Arbitrator Rules

Unionized journalists at Politico have won a landmark arbitration over the newsroom’s use of AI. An arbitrator found that Politico management breached its union contract by deploying two AI tools—LETO and Report Builder—without the required 60-day bargaining period and without ensuring adherence to journalistic ethics. LETO generated live summaries during political events, while Report Builder created automated policy summaries. Both tools were found to produce inaccurate content that violated editorial standards. The ruling mandates a new bargaining period and further negotiations under union oversight, reinforcing labor protections in the age of newsroom automation. Read More (Nieman Lab Rating)