Media News Daily: Top Stories for 05/15/2026

Trump Accuses Media of “Virtual Treason” Over Iran War Coverage

President Donald Trump accused some media outlets of “virtual treason” over their reporting on the war in Iran, claiming coverage suggesting Iran was performing well militarily was false and aided the enemy. In a Truth Social post made while traveling to Beijing for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump said Iran’s military capabilities had been destroyed and criticized journalists and political opponents who questioned the administration’s handling of the conflict. His remarks echo earlier accusations against Democrats, whom he labeled “traitors” for criticizing his Iran policy. Read More (Washington Examiner Rating)

Israel Plans Defamation Lawsuit Against New York Times Over Kristof Column

Israel says it will pursue a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and columnist Nicholas Kristof over an article documenting allegations of sexual abuse of Palestinians by Israeli soldiers and settlers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar denounced the column as defamatory, while Kristof cited accounts from Palestinians and findings from human rights organizations including B’Tselem, Save the Children, and the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel. The dispute follows broader criticism of Israeli detention practices and prior threats by Netanyahu to take legal action against the Times over its Gaza coverage. Read More (Truthout Rating)

YouTube Says Shorts Viewing on TVs Tops 2 Billion Hours Monthly

YouTube says viewers now watch more than 2 billion hours of YouTube Shorts on televisions each month, signaling growing demand for short-form video on living room screens. The company says TV is YouTube’s fastest-growing screen, with U.S. viewers watching more than 200 million hours of YouTube content daily. YouTube has adapted Shorts for TVs by showing comments alongside vertical videos, while Google TV has added a “Short videos for you” row. The trend also extends to podcasts, with YouTube reporting 700 million monthly hours of podcast viewing on living room devices in 2025. Read More (TechCrunch Rating)