Media News Daily: Top Stories for 01/22/2026

This page hosts daily news stories about the media, social media, and the journalism industry. Get the latest Hirings and Firings, Media Transactions, Controversies, Censorship Issues, and more.

Judge Blocks FBI from Reviewing Washington Post Reporter’s Seized Devices

A federal judge has temporarily prohibited the FBI from reviewing electronics seized from Washington Post journalist Hannah Natanson, including phones, laptops, and storage devices, pending a hearing set for early next month. The ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge William B. Porter comes after the FBI obtained the items via a search warrant in connection with an investigation into Pentagon contractor Aurelio Perez-Lugones, who is accused of illegally retaining classified materials. Natanson reportedly communicated with the contractor via Signal and phone calls. The Washington Post argued the seizure violates press protections under the First Amendment. Read More (Washington Examiner Rating)

Meta Appeals Ruling That Could Redefine Liability for Fake Ads

Meta has filed a petition with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals seeking to overturn a lower court ruling that allows a lawsuit against the company over fraudulent ads to proceed. The lawsuit stems from a 2021 case in which an Oregon user lost money on a scam Facebook ad. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White previously ruled Meta could be held liable based on its terms of service and community standards, which allegedly promised action against harmful content. Meta argues that these policies are aspirational and not legally binding, and warns the ruling could set a precedent impacting all platforms with content moderation policies. Read More (MediaPost Rating)

FCC Clarifies Equal-Time Rule for Talk Show Appearances Ahead of Elections

The FCC Media Bureau has clarified that late-night and daytime talk shows on broadcast TV must comply with equal-time rules for political candidates, countering past assumptions based on a 2006 decision involving Jay Leno. Broadcasters must now treat candidate interviews on such shows as potentially subject to Section 315 of the Communications Act, requiring comparable airtime for rivals. With elections approaching, the guidance could lead to more scrutiny and filings by broadcasters. Critics, including Commissioner Anna Gomez, argue the clarification is an overreach and may chill free speech. Read More (Reuters Rating)