Media News Daily: Top Stories for 02/19/2026

U.S. State Department Developing Portal to Bypass European Content Restrictions

The U.S. State Department is reportedly developing an online platform, expected to operate under the domain freedom.gov, that would allow users in Europe and elsewhere to access content restricted under local laws. The site may include VPN functionality to route traffic through the United States and reportedly would not track user activity. The initiative aligns with the Trump administration’s criticism of European regulations such as the EU’s Digital Services Act and Britain’s Online Safety Act. The project, initially expected to be unveiled at the Munich Security Conference, was delayed. Officials say the move could further strain U.S.-European relations over digital speech policies. Read More (News Facts Network Rating)

Berkshire Hathaway Takes $350 Million Stake in The New York Times

Berkshire Hathaway disclosed it acquired about 5.1 million shares of The New York Times Company, valued at roughly $352 million at year-end, during Warren Buffett’s final quarter as CEO. Shares of the Times rose nearly 3% following the announcement, with executives calling it a strong endorsement of its digital strategy. Berkshire also trimmed holdings in Apple and Amazon while adding to Chevron. It is unclear whether Buffett or portfolio managers directed the investment. Read More (Reuters Rating)

Meta to Shut Down Standalone Messenger Website

Meta announced that messenger.com will shut down in April 2026, with users redirected to facebook.com/messages. The company has already discontinued its Messenger desktop apps, signaling a shift away from maintaining separate messaging platforms. While messaging will continue via Facebook and the Messenger mobile app, the move reflects Meta’s evolving strategy after years of pursuing backend integration across Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Read More (Social Media Today Rating)