Media News Daily: Top Stories for 10/05/2026

Former Stars and Stripes Publisher Says Pentagon Ordered Journalist Firings

Former Stars and Stripes publisher Max Lederer says Pentagon officials ordered him to fire editor-in-chief Erik Slavin and reporter Lara Korte after concluding they were insubordinate and improperly exercised First Amendment rights. Lederer said he challenged the basis for the disciplinary action and ultimately refused to sign the termination notices, choosing to retire instead. Slavin, Korte, and Lederer are now suing the government, alleging retaliation over efforts to preserve the military newspaper’s editorial independence and reporting on conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. (Read More) (Mediaite Rating)

Alabama Governor Removes Five Public Television Board Members

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey removed five of the seven members of the Alabama Educational Television Commission shortly after a new state law expanded her authority to dismiss appointees. The changes followed a survey showing public support for Alabama Public Television maintaining its relationship with PBS, after an earlier debate over possible disaffiliation. APT has named five replacement commissioners and said it looks forward to working with the reconstituted board and continuing its service to the state. (Read More) (Alabama Reflector Rating)

Google Wins Consumer Search Antitrust Lawsuit

Google has defeated a consumer antitrust lawsuit alleging that its search-distribution agreements prevented more privacy-focused and ad-free search engines from competing effectively. U.S. District Judge Rita Lin ruled that the plaintiffs did not provide sufficient evidence showing that better search alternatives would have been available without Google’s agreements. The case was separate from the Justice Department’s successful antitrust action against Google, and Lin said that ruling did not establish that consumers in this lawsuit suffered the specific harms they alleged. (Read More) (MediaPost Rating)