Media News Daily: Top Stories for 04/29/2026

Southern Poverty Law Center Seeks Grand Jury Transcripts in Federal Prosecution

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has filed motions demanding access to grand jury transcripts tied to its recent federal indictment on fraud-related charges. The U.S. Department of Justice alleges the SPLC’s use of paid informants within extremist groups constituted financial support and misled donors. SPLC leadership disputes the claims, arguing the program helped prevent violence and aided law enforcement. The organization also called on Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche to retract statements made on Fox News, asserting they were inaccurate. Read More (News From The States Rating)

Appeals Court Allows Pentagon to Enforce Escort Rules for Journalists

A federal appeals court has permitted the Pentagon to require journalists to be escorted while inside the building, amid an ongoing legal dispute with The New York Times. The case stems from a challenge to new Pentagon credentialing rules that restricted press access. While a lower court found earlier policies unconstitutional, the Department of Defense introduced revised rules mandating escorted access and limiting movement. The appellate majority ruled the government is likely to succeed in defending the updated policy, citing national security concerns. A dissenting judge argued the changes undermine a prior court order intended to restore meaningful press access, raising concerns about restrictions on newsgathering and press freedom. Read More (Reason Rating)

Australia Proposes Tax on Tech Giants to Fund Journalism

Australia is moving forward with draft legislation that would require major tech companies like Google and TikTok to contribute a portion of their revenue to support news production. The proposal aims to ensure that platforms benefiting from journalistic content help fund its creation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that multinational corporations should not profit from news content without compensating its producers. The government plans to introduce the legislation to Parliament by early July, continuing global efforts to address the financial challenges facing traditional media. Read More (Mediapost Rating)