Media News Daily: Top Stories for 03/31/2026

Poll Finds Heavy Social Media Use Linked to Lower Support for Democracy

A new national survey conducted by the Charles F. Kettering Foundation and Gallup finds that Americans who spend five or more hours per day on social media are significantly less likely to view democracy as the best form of government. Only 57% of heavy users support democracy compared to roughly 72–73% among low or non-users. The study also reports that heavy users are more likely to see facts as subjective and more open to political violence, with 22% saying it may sometimes be justified versus 8% among lighter users. However, heavy users also report feeling more respected in their beliefs and more empowered politically. Researchers suggest social media may foster both engagement and fragmentation in information environments. The survey sampled over 20,000 U.S. adults with a ±0.9% margin of error. Read More (News Facts Network Rating)

Court Warns Andrea Tantaros Over Inaccurate Legal Citations, Suspected AI Use

A federal judge has raised concerns that former Fox News anchor Andrea Tantaros may have used artificial intelligence tools to prepare legal filings containing inaccurate or fabricated citations. In a ruling by Judge Sidney Stein in a lawsuit involving Tantaros and former Senator Scott Brown, the court noted repeated issues with nonexistent legal references, even after Tantaros attempted corrections. The judge warned that continued submission of false citations could result in sanctions, emphasizing that self-represented litigants are still obligated to ensure accuracy in court filings. The case highlights growing legal concerns around unverified AI-generated content in judicial proceedings. Read More (Reason Rating)

Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Antitrust Challenge

A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order halting the $6.2 billion merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna Inc. following an antitrust lawsuit filed by DirecTV. Judge Troy L. Nunley of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California ruled that the merger could increase retransmission fees and give Nexstar greater leverage to impose blackouts on distributors. The court determined that this could harm competition and consumers by forcing higher costs or limiting access to content. The decision pauses integration efforts pending further hearings, including a scheduled April 7 session on a preliminary injunction. Despite prior approval from the FCC and Nexstar’s announcement that the deal had closed, the merger faces multiple ongoing legal challenges from states and industry opponents. Read More (TV Technology Rating)