Media News Daily: Top Stories for 03/20/2026

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.

Nexstar Secures Merger With Tegna After FCC, DOJ Approval

Nexstar Media Group has finalized its acquisition of Tegna after receiving approval from both the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice, including a waiver allowing expanded national reach beyond ownership caps. The merger will extend Nexstar’s control to over 70 percent of U.S. households, reinforcing its position as the largest local news provider, though critics, including several state attorneys general, argue the deal could reduce competition, eliminate jobs, and centralize media power. Read More (The Hill Rating)

FCC Campaign Targets “The View” Over Equal-Time Rules

A MediaPost commentary examines the FCC’s effort under Chairman Brendan Carr to determine whether ABC’s “The View” qualifies as a “bona fide” news program and is therefore exempt from equal-time requirements for political candidates. The piece argues the show is a soft target due to its classification within ABC News despite its entertainment-style format and perceived political bias, particularly in favor of Democratic guests. The legal question centers on whether the program meets the FCC’s definition of independent journalistic judgment, with broader implications for other talk shows like those hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert. Read More (MediaPost Rating)

X Tests Comment Downvotes to Combat AI Spam and Improve Rankings

X is introducing a limited test of comment downvotes, allowing Premium users to flag replies as spam, misleading, AI-generated, or irrelevant in an effort to improve its reply-ranking algorithm. The feature is designed to provide user feedback signals without directly impacting like counts, as the platform struggles with increasing volumes of AI-generated bot content and spam. While the move aims to enhance content quality and personalization, critics warn it could enable coordinated downvoting campaigns, though limiting access to paid users may reduce abuse. Read More (Social Media Today)