Jeremy Barr

ABC has sued the Federal Communications Commission in federal court, arguing that FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s order requiring early renewal applications for eight ABC-owned local stations is retaliation for coverage and programming disliked by the Trump administration. ABC says the unusually early review could lead to years of litigation or license denials and would intimidate media companies nationwide. Conservative groups have petitioned against the renewals, while the FCC says broadcasters must serve the public interest and is also investigating Disney’s ABC over alleged DEI discrimination and The View over equal-time rules. Democratic FCC commissioner Anna M. Gomez supports ABC’s challenge and accuses the agency of censorship and government intimidation.

The Federal Communications Commission voted 2-1 along party lines to eliminate the rule limiting any broadcaster’s reach to 39% of US television households. FCC chair Brendan Carr and commissioner Olivia Trusty said the cap constrained local broadcasters and competition, while Democratic commissioner Anna M. Gomez argued that only Congress could change the statutory limit and warned of harm to local journalism. The decision is expected to benefit large groups including Sinclair and Nexstar, although Nexstar’s proposed $6.2bn merger with Tegna remains blocked by a temporary injunction. Press-freedom organizations condemned the move as likely to increase media concentration, cut journalism jobs and weaken local news, and Free Press said it would challenge the decision in court.

A Florida federal judge appeared skeptical of Donald Trump’s refiled $10bn defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, Rupert Murdoch and News Corp over a 2025 article about an allegedly bawdy letter attributed to Trump in a birthday album for Jeffrey Epstein. Trump’s attorneys argued that the Journal failed to meet journalistic standards and published the story despite his denial, while defense lawyers said the amended complaint still failed to establish actual malice or financial harm. Judge Darrin P. Gayles did not rule immediately but indicated a decision was forthcoming and stayed discovery, raising the prospect that the case will be dismissed again.

Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison argues that opposition to his proposed $111bn acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery is driven less by competition concerns than by doubts about whether he would politically influence CNN. In a New York Times essay, Ellison said he has both conservative and liberal views and pledged to preserve the editorial independence of CNN and CBS News. Critics, including a 12-state coalition and both Writers Guild of America branches, are suing to block the merger on antitrust grounds, while reporting has linked Ellison and his father, Larry Ellison, to alleged promises to the Trump administration about shifting CNN’s coverage. The deal remains stalled in a California court, with trial timing potentially extending the dispute until 2027.

Several prominent Fox News commentators have begun questioning Donald Trump’s war strategy in Iran, despite the network’s longstanding support for him. Laura Ingraham has challenged claims that Iran’s military has been destroyed and questioned whether Trump understood the conflict’s risks, while Johnny “Joey” Jones and retired General Keith Kellogg have argued that airstrikes alone are ineffective. Brit Hume warned that the conflict undermines Trump’s promises to avoid endless wars, and even Jesse Watters expressed doubt about repeated claims that a deal was imminent. Fox Business hosts have also highlighted rising oil prices and potential electoral consequences, suggesting growing unease within the conservative media environment Trump relies on for political backing.

Adam O’Neal will resign as editor of The Washington Post’s opinion section on 31 August, after roughly a year in the role, without giving a reason for his departure. His tenure oversaw Jeff Bezos’s shift toward championing free markets and personal liberties, a strategy that alienated some subscribers and longtime writers. Interim publisher Jeff D’Onofrio praised O’Neal for making the section more balanced, accessible and financially sustainable, while the section’s heavily supported video podcast Make It Make Sense drew criticism and weak viewership. The Post said it would announce plans for a leadership transition later.

ABC has urged the Federal Communications Commission to reject petitions seeking to deny license renewals for eight ABC-owned stations, arguing that the agency’s decision to begin the reviews years early is retaliation for the network’s coverage of Donald Trump and violates the First Amendment. FCC chair Brendan Carr denies targeting ABC’s editorial decisions, citing employment practices and statutory compliance. ABC also argues that the FCC cannot regulate programming content and that the petitions fail to show serious rule violations. The FCC will consider responses before deciding whether to grant renewals or hold hearings, while former commissioners and staffers have separately criticized the process as unconstitutional.

CBS’s 60 Minutes has appointed New York Times opinion columnist Ross Douthat as a correspondent and added Sebastian Junger, Gianna Toboni and Trevor Phillips as contributors. Former network anchor Norah O’Donnell was promoted to full-time correspondent. The changes follow the departures and firings of several longtime staffers, including Scott Pelley, Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, amid accusations that CBS leadership interfered with the program’s editorial independence, which the network denies. The revamped season begins on 13 September.

A coalition of former FCC chairs, commissioners and senior officials from both parties urged the agency to reject petitions challenging the renewal of licenses for eight ABC-owned local television stations. They called Brendan Carr’s early renewal proceeding unprecedented and unconstitutional, arguing that it improperly targets Disney and ABC over editorial decisions and sends a chilling message to broadcasters. The petitions, filed by the conservative Media Research Center and Center for American Rights, accuse ABC of violating standards related to news integrity and engaging in racial and gender discrimination. Replies are due by 5 August, after which the FCC may grant renewals or schedule hearings, leaving ABC’s long-term broadcasting status uncertain.

Twelve Democratic attorneys general are seeking to block the $111bn Paramount–Warner Bros Discovery merger, arguing it violates antitrust laws and would reduce competition in film, television and news media. Led by California attorney general Rob Bonta, the lawsuit contends the deal would increase prices and limit content choices for consumers while potentially reducing newsroom capacity. Despite prior approval from the Department of Justice, the states aim to halt the merger entirely, citing market harm and risks from media consolidation.

Major U.S. television networks diverged on whether to broadcast Donald Trump’s election-focused White House address live, citing concerns over his history of false claims about the 2020 election. CNN, ABC, and NBC declined to air the speech in full, while CBS, Fox News, MS Now, and some ABC affiliates carried significant portions. Several networks cut into the address to fact-check or contextualize the remarks as Trump repeated allegations about election integrity, prompting reactions from media hosts and Trump’s team. The decision renewed debate over how networks should handle speeches viewed as political or containing misinformation.

A bipartisan coalition of 12 US state attorneys general, led by California’s Rob Bonta, sued to block the proposed $110bn merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery. The states argue that the deal would reduce competition, raise prices, limit film and television content, and cause significant job losses. Paramount rejected the allegations and said the lawsuit misapplies antitrust law, promising to defend the transaction. The US Department of Justice has already approved the merger, but regulatory reviews remain pending in the UK and Europe, where the deal could face delays. The states are seeking to halt the transaction while the court considers the case, with Paramount aiming to close it by 30 September.

Donald Trump and his allies have intensified pressure on US media through lawsuits, regulatory investigations, restricted access, subpoenas and searches of journalists’ homes. Although executives and journalists fear retaliation and some organizations have softened their coverage, experts including Marty Baron and Chuck Todd offer contrasting assessments: accountability journalism remains strong, but pro-Trump influencers and ownership ties may dilute its impact. ABC and The New York Times are highlighted for resisting government pressure, while concerns persist that prospective CNN owners and other media companies may prioritize avoiding conflict with the administration. The extent of the chilling effect remains unknowable, and pressure is expected to increase during the remaining years of Trump’s presidency.

The Hill has seen growing readership amid renewed attention on the second Trump administration and is launching a paid digital subscription service called Hill Insider, offering newsletters and interactive features while keeping its main site free. Bill Sammon, a former Fox News executive now leading editorial content, highlights the publication’s recent momentum and its aim to stand out in a crowded subscription market. The article also recounts Sammon’s departure from Fox after internal disputes following the network’s accurate 2020 election call for Joe Biden and notes his dual editorial work with NewsNation under Nexstar.

Conservative organizations have petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to deny license renewals for eight ABC-owned television stations, alleging political bias, discrimination, election interference, and other violations. The FCC, led by Trump appointee Brendan Carr, initiated an early renewal process linked to an investigation into ABC’s diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Groups including the Center for American Rights, Media Research Center, Article III Project, and America First Legal filed complaints citing alleged partisan conduct, discriminatory employment practices, and misuse of public spectrum. The dispute follows heightened political tension around ABC, including White House criticism of Jimmy Kimmel and an FCC inquiry into The View. The FCC set deadlines in July and August for responses before the case advances to an administrative law judge or FCC hearings.

NPR retracted a report claiming Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was retiring after publishing a story citing a nonexistent court announcement. Court spokesperson Patricia McCabe called the report inaccurate, and NPR’s top editor Thomas Evans attributed the error to a misunderstanding. The article describes the withdrawn piece, written by Nina Totenberg, which recounted Alito’s judicial legacy and included incomplete elements suggesting it was still being drafted. NPR issued an on‑air correction, and Totenberg planned to address the mistake publicly and apologize to Alito.

Bari Weiss has been recruiting several British journalists to CBS News as she confronts internal and external resistance to her leadership and pursues greater ideological diversity within the newsroom. Recent hires and outreach reflect her network of UK media figures who share her skepticism of what she views as a dominant progressive consensus on issues including Israel and gender identity. These moves, as well as her links to conservative and heterodox British thinkers, have prompted questions within CBS about whether she is steering the network’s editorial direction to the right.

Catherine Herridge seeks a US supreme court stay to avoid an $800‑per‑day contempt fine for refusing to reveal sources linked to 2017 Fox News stories. Lower courts have repeatedly ruled against her, prompting a final appeal supported by press‑freedom groups. Chief justice John Roberts granted a temporary stay while Yanping Chen, the plaintiff in the related privacy lawsuit, prepares a response. Herridge argues that protecting sources is essential for national‑security reporting, while Chen’s legal team maintains the identity of the government leaker is necessary for justice. The case underscores the vulnerability of journalists in the absence of a federal shield law and evokes rare historical precedents involving contempt orders for reporters.

Brendan Carr accuses Disney and ABC of spreading misinformation in their public campaign responding to two FCC investigations, including one on equal-time rules related to The View and another concerning ABC’s license renewals. The FCC has received tens of thousands of public comments, though Carr says decisions will rely on legal and factual assessments. Democratic commissioner Anna M Gomez argues the investigations are being used to pressure ABC politically and predicts public comments will not influence the outcome.

ABC launches an advertising campaign urging viewers to support the network as the FCC investigates both The View over equal-time rules and the renewal of licenses for its eight local stations. Ads airing during The View and in key local markets call on the public to submit comments and petitions. Critics argue the expedited FCC actions resemble an aggressive move against the network, while the FCC dismisses ABC’s campaign as misleading regarding the law.

Paramount refused to air a Freedom of the Press Foundation advertisement criticizing its leadership, ties to Donald Trump and the company's proposed merger with Warner Bros Discovery, citing a conflict of interest. The decision followed initial approval discussions for a $300,000 placement during a UFC broadcast on Paramount+. The ad accused David and Larry Ellison of compromising press independence and warned about their potential acquisition of CNN and other outlets. Advocacy chief Seth Stern denounced the rejection as censorship, while the merger cleared the US Department of Justice but still faces international regulatory review.

The FCC’s decision to force early license renewal applications for ABC’s local stations has opened a nationwide comment period, enabling critics to challenge the network on broad grounds. The move, widely viewed as politically motivated following pressure from Donald Trump to cancel Jimmy Kimmel’s show, has drawn significant pushback from ABC, which argues the DEI-based rationale is a pretext for retaliation. Advocacy groups plan to file petitions opposing renewal, and the process may extend for years through administrative hearings and appeals. ABC has hired high‑profile legal representation and is contesting both the accelerated renewal timeline and a parallel FCC enforcement action against The View, warning that the proceedings are punitive and designed to keep the network under prolonged regulatory threat.

The US Department of Justice approved the $111bn Paramount–Warner Bros Discovery merger, concluding it would not harm competition in streaming, linear TV or film production. Despite this clearance, the deal still faces scrutiny from UK regulators, EU funding investigators and potential legal challenges from US state attorneys general. Critics warn the merger could reduce media competition, lead to job losses and increase political influence over news networks. Supporters argue it will strengthen the companies against dominant tech platforms. Concerns remain about possible changes at CNN and CBS News and the role of Gulf sovereign-wealth funding.

CBS News appointed British broadcaster Trevor Phillips as senior global affairs correspondent, marking a high-profile decision under editor-in-chief Bari Weiss amid ongoing scrutiny of the network’s direction and recent staff upheavals. Phillips brings a long career in media, politics and equality advocacy, including leadership roles at major UK equality commissions and positions with Policy Exchange and Index on Censorship. His hire comes during a period of significant restructuring at CBS News following layoffs and leadership conflicts at 60 Minutes, as the network works to rebuild its foreign coverage and strengthen global reporting.

Three veteran correspondents announced they will remain at 60 Minutes despite widespread firings under new CBS News management. They condemned the dismissals of several correspondents and producers as damaging to the program’s integrity and emphasized their commitment to protecting journalistic independence. The firings, including that of Scott Pelley, fueled internal backlash tied partly to criticism of new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. A memo from executive producer Nick Bilton promising independence was acknowledged but met with caution. The correspondents vowed to continue their work so long as editorial freedom is preserved, underscoring ongoing tensions over corporate influence and newsroom autonomy.

CBS News faces internal upheaval after firing several key 60 Minutes correspondents and senior staff, including Scott Pelley, Sharyn Alfonsi, and Cecilia Vega, alongside top producers. Bari Weiss and new executive producer Nick Bilton aim to reshape the program, prompting concerns among staff about the show's ability to maintain its identity and produce its upcoming season. Veteran correspondents Lesley Stahl and Bill Whitaker may also depart, raising further uncertainty. The turmoil has fueled speculation about political pressure and potential legal action, leaving the show’s future direction and audience reception in doubt as it approaches its 59th season.

Scott Pelley accused CBS News’ new leadership of pressuring him to include unverified claims and politically biased content in his reporting before he was fired after a contentious meeting. He said senior staff were dismissed without cause and that politicians were being allowed to influence 60 Minutes interviews. Bari Weiss defended the dismissal, citing broken trust, though Pelley disputed her account. His termination followed escalating tensions with executives amid broader turmoil inside CBS News.

CBS News dismissed longtime 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley following a heated meeting in which he criticized editor‑in‑chief Bari Weiss over recent staff cuts and editorial decisions. The termination followed rising tensions after multiple high‑profile firings and disagreements about editorial direction, including accusations that Weiss suppressed a story for political reasons. Network executives cited Pelley's conduct during internal meetings, while former colleagues and industry figures praised him and criticized leadership. Pelley's departure leaves 60 Minutes with a reduced correspondent roster ahead of its upcoming season.

The White House Correspondents’ Association rescheduled the annual dinner for 24 July following the April shooting that abruptly halted the original event. Donald Trump confirmed he will attend and speak at the rescheduled gathering, while the WHCA announced that details on venue, ticketing and programming will follow and that enhanced security measures will be implemented. The organization emphasized its commitment to press freedom and refusal to allow violence to shape the event. The suspected shooter, Cole Tomas Allen, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including attempted assassination of the president.

Former CBS News and 60 Minutes veterans urged Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison to guarantee editorial independence after the sudden dismissal of top producers and correspondents. The letter criticized the firings of Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega and warned that the show’s legacy is at risk without a commitment to its long‑standing standards. Organized by former producer Lowell Bergman and joined by figures including Dan Rather and Glenn Close, the appeal followed Scott Pelley’s sharp condemnation of network leadership, accusing executives Bari Weiss and Tom Cibrowski of undermining the program.

Scott Pelley criticized CBS leadership for firing key 60 Minutes staff and accused Bari Weiss of undermining the show, prompting strong internal support. Recently dismissed correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega condemned the network for eroding editorial independence and fostering political bias. CBS disputed the allegations as questions mounted about the show’s direction and workplace tensions.