Media News Daily: Top Stories for 12/15/2025

Disney Inks $1 Billion Deal with OpenAI for AI-Generated Video Content

Walt Disney has announced a $1 billion investment in OpenAI as part of a three-year licensing agreement involving OpenAI’s Sora platform. The collaboration will enable fans to create short-form videos featuring approximately 200 characters from Disney’s Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars franchises using AI. Disney CEO Bob Iger clarified that only visual likenesses—not voices or “name and likeness” rights—are included in the deal. Select user-generated content may appear on Disney+. Disney-licensed AI video generation is expected to begin in early 2026. Read More (MediaPost Rating)

Meta Expands AI Ambitions Through New Partnerships Amid Privacy Concerns

Meta has boosted its AI strategy by acquiring Limitless, a startup that developed an AI pendant capable of recording and summarizing real-life conversations. Meta plans to integrate this tech into its AI glasses, reducing dependence on social media content. It also partnered with ElevenLabs to localize Reels and expand AI voice translation tools. These moves reflect Meta’s need for conversational data to remain competitive in AI. Privacy and legal concerns loom over the use of such data collection tools. Read More (Social Media Today Rating)

Librarians Fight Back Against Book Bans and Censorship in the U.S.

Librarians across the U.S. are challenging politically driven book bans, especially those targeting LGBTQ+ content. In Texas, Rhea Young was fired for refusing to remove inclusive titles and is now suing county officials. Other cases include Terri Lesley in Wyoming and Suzette Baker in Texas, who both won settlements after similar dismissals. In California, Erin Spivey and the ACLU overturned a local book ban under the new Freedom to Read Act. Over 800 book ban attempts were recorded this year, largely driven by political groups. Read More (The Guardian Rating)