Media News Daily: Top Stories for 12/11/2025

Trump Blasts NY Times Over ‘Seditious’ Reporting on His Health

President Donald Trump sharply criticized The New York Times for publishing what he called “seditious” and “treasonous” reporting regarding his mental and physical fitness. In a Truth Social post, Trump denied any health decline and accused the Times of spreading falsehoods to demean him. The criticism follows an opinion piece by Frank Bruni titled “Trump’s Approval Ratings Have Declined. So Has His Vigor,” which compared Trump’s current demeanor to President Biden’s. A separate report analyzed Trump’s reduced public schedule and claimed he appeared to fall asleep during a meeting. NYT defended its reporting, citing its journalistic duty to scrutinize elected leaders’ health and emphasizing its use of credible sources and expert input. (Read More) (The Hill Rating)

IFCN Condemns U.S. Visa Restrictions Targeting Fact-Checkers

The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) has issued a strong statement opposing reported U.S. State Department directives instructing consular officials to deny visas to those involved in fact-checking, content moderation, and trust and safety roles. The IFCN argued this conflates journalism with censorship and undermines the First Amendment. Emphasizing that fact-checking enhances public debate and is not about content removal, the organization warned that such policies could endanger global press freedom. The statement also highlighted concerns for broader digital safety efforts, including child protection and anti-fraud measures. (Read More) (Poynter Rating)

Tony Dokoupil Named Anchor of CBS Evening News

CBS has announced that CBS Mornings co-anchor Tony Dokoupil will become the new anchor of CBS Evening News starting January 5, 2026. The decision follows the departures of John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, after a high-profile search failed to land an external candidate. CBS aims to return to a solo-anchor format, launching Dokoupil’s tenure with a cross-country tour. Despite past internal friction, including backlash over his interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates, leadership praised Dokoupil’s authenticity and fearlessness. The change comes amid broader shifts at parent company Paramount, including a $108 billion takeover bid and recent DEI-related staff cuts. (Read More) (Reuters Rating)