Media News Daily: Top Stories for 01/11/2026

Spotify Drops ICE Recruitment Ads Amid Artist Protests

Spotify has confirmed it no longer runs U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recruitment ads, following a wave of backlash from artists and advocacy groups. The ads were part of a broader federal campaign tied to a $30 billion Trump administration initiative aimed at hiring 10,000 deportation officers by 2025. Spotify aired the ads on its free tier, offering bonuses up to $50,000. The campaign reportedly spent $3 million on Google and YouTube alone, within a $100 million media strategy. Groups including Indivisible Project and 50501 Movement led boycotts, particularly during Spotify Wrapped season. (Read More) (PennLive Rating)

VP Vance Slams Media Coverage of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis

Vice President J.D. Vance criticized the media over its portrayal of a fatal ICE officer-involved shooting in Minnesota, calling it “an absolute disgrace.” At a White House press briefing, Vance objected to headlines like CNN’s “Outrage after ICE officer kills US citizen in Minneapolis,” accusing outlets of omitting context, namely that the officer had previously been injured in a similar encounter. The incident has sparked partisan conflict, with the Department of Homeland Security labeling the shooting as “self-defense,” while Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and other Democrats called that characterization “propaganda.” Vance urged journalists to “tell the truth” and decried left-wing activists for allegedly escalating tensions. (Read More) (The Hill Rating)

X Sees 60% Revenue Drop in UK Over Content Safety Concerns

Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) has experienced a dramatic 60% decline in UK revenue over the past year, driven by ongoing concerns about harmful content on the platform. The decline follows public outcry over violent and sexually explicit imagery generated through X’s AI tool Grok, prompting restrictions on the feature for most users. The platform has faced increasing advertiser resistance globally amid moderation controversies. (Read More) (MediaPost Rating)