Media News Daily: Top Stories for 10/21/2026

Facebook Remains a Major Source of News for Americans

About 40% of U.S. adults say they regularly get news from Facebook, according to new Pew Research Center data, making it the leading social media platform for regular news consumption. YouTube follows at 34%, while Instagram reaches 23% and TikTok 20%. Overall, 59% of Americans say they get news from social media at least sometimes. Pew’s August survey also found especially strong growth in news consumption on TikTok and Nextdoor in recent years, underscoring the continuing shift toward social platforms for news discovery. (Read More) (Nieman Lab Rating)

White House Turns to Real America’s Voice Amid CNN Pool Fight

The White House has repeatedly assigned conservative network Real America’s Voice a secondary television pool position on days when CNN has been excluded from its scheduled Air Force One coverage. ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC have declined to replace CNN when it is barred, while Real America’s Voice has offered its footage and pool notes to other news organizations. The arrangement comes amid an ongoing legal dispute over White House restrictions on CNN, Politico, and MS NOW and follows broader changes to the press pool system after the administration took control of pool assignments from the White House Correspondents’ Association. (Read More) (Poynter Rating)

Cumulus Media Emerges From Chapter 11

Cumulus Media has completed its Chapter 11 restructuring after entering bankruptcy in March, eliminating roughly $550 million in debt. Under the reorganization, existing indebtedness was exchanged for ownership of the reorganized company, while former lenders also received $50 million in convertible notes. CEO Mary Berner said Cumulus plans to continue focusing on local and national radio content as the company moves forward with a significantly reduced debt burden. (Read More) (MediaPost Rating)