Legal Info

Group Legal documents

Robber-Baron Media?

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Article in The New York Times by CeciliaKing, Mike Isaac, and David McCabe, 4/14/25

Headline:  “U.S. Argues Meta Built a Social Media Monopoly”

Subhead:  “The tech giant went to court on Monday in an antitrust trial focused on its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. The case could reshape its business.”

“The Federal Trade Commission on Monday accused Meta of creating a monopoly that squelched competition by buying start-ups that stood in its way, kicking off a landmark antitrust trial that could dismantle a social media empire that has transformed how the world connects online.

“In a packed courtroom in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia, the F.T.C. opened its first antitrust trial under the Trump administration by arguing that Meta illegally cemented a monopoly in social networking by acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp when they were tiny start-ups. Those actions were part of a ‘buy-or-bury strategy,’ the F.T.C. said.”

https://archive.is/OKi9X#selection-751.0-767.46

Protect Your Sources

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Article in Poynter by Angela Fu, 4/8/25

Headline:  “Legal experts advise journalists to strengthen reporting security in the face of rising press restrictions”

Subhead:  “Journalists can protect their sources by maintaining good digital hygiene and being aware of security vulnerabilities, experts say”

“At a time when President Donald Trump’s administration has accelerated attacks on the press, accessing information and protecting sources might become more difficult for journalists, experts say.

” ‘Concerns about libel law and the protections from landmark Supreme Court case New York Times Co. v Sullivan have been exaggerated’, said New York Times deputy general counsel David McCraw and Center for Investigative Reporting general counsel Victoria Baranetsky. Instead, they advised journalists to take measures to secure their reporting material and be cognizant of the pressures they face in the current political climate. Their remarks came Monday during a Poynter webinar called ‘Safeguarding your journalism against legal threats. . .’

“Trump has already taken measures to curtail press access. His administration has laid off communications staff, reallocated dedicated office space in the Pentagon to conservative outlets, taken over the White House press pool and defunded global radio stations. Most notably, his administration has banned The Associated Press from accessing key White House spaces like the Oval Office. Members of his administration have also threatened to investigate leaks.

“Newsrooms may see more subpoenas seeking their communications and reporting material, McCraw warned. To that end, journalists should be cognizant of the documentation that they generate and keep. An unflattering private message to a colleague, for example, could be unearthed in court — as was the case earlier this year when a jury found CNN guilty of defaming a security contractor. . .”

https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2025/trump-legal-threats-journalists-source-protection/

 

Can’t Ban the Free Press

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Article in The Guardian by Leonie Chao-Feng, 4/8/24

Headline:  “Judge orders Trump White House to lift access restrictions on Associated Press”

Subhead:  “Order restores journalists access to White House spaces while the news agency’s lawsuit moves forward”

“A US judge on Tuesday ordered the White House to restore full access to the Associated Press to presidential events, after the news agency was punished for its decision to continue to refer to the Gulf of Mexico in its coverage.

“The order from the US district judge Trevor McFadden, an appointee of Donald Trump, requires the White House to allow the AP’s journalists to access the Oval Office, Air Force One and events held at the White House.

“The White House “sharply curtailed” the AP’s access to media events with the US president after he renamed the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” and the news agency did not follow suit, McFadden wrote in a 41-page decision. . .”

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/08/judge-orders-white-house-restore-associated-press-access

How to Save The News

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A bronze sidewalk plaque on Library Way quotes Thomas Jefferson and features New York newspapers, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021 in New York. Jefferson is quoted, “Where the press is free, and every man is able to read, all is safe.” (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Article in Poynter by Amaris Castillo, 4/1/25

Headline:  “Concerned about press freedom? Here are some things you can do about it.”

Subhead:  “Democracy needs a free press, and a free press needs support — here’s how everyday people can help defend it.”

“Freedom of the press in the United States is legally protected by the First Amendment, which famously declares: ‘Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.’

“Nearly three-quarters U.S. adults say press freedom is extremely or very important to the well-being of society, according to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey. But there’s been grave concern about the state of press freedom for some time. A separate Pew survey from 2023 found that 57% of U.S. journalists reported feeling extremely or very concerned about potential restrictions on press freedoms.

“ ‘We are truly standing at a crossroads in which one of the five freedoms of the First Amendment is under unprecedented duress,’ said Ken Paulson, who directs the Free Speech Center at the College of Media and Entertainment at Middle Tennessee State University. ‘We’ve seen, for decades, attacks by politicians on news media of all sorts. And it’s part and parcel of the relationship between a free press and those in power, but what we’re seeing now is much more aggressive and involves the use of government power directly against journalism.’ . . .”

https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2025/how-protect-press-freedom-support-journalism-first-amendment/

Investigation the Media “Investigator”

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Article in The Verge by Emma Roth, 4/1/25

Headline:  “House Democrats launch investigation into ‘bogus’ FCC probes”.

“In a letter to the FCC, Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee call out Chairman Carr’s ‘actions to target and intidimate’ media companies in violation of the First Amendment:

” ‘You have launched sham investigations into entities disfavored by President Trump, Elon Musk, and the Republican Party to censor journalists and news coverage. In the absence of actual agency authority and any real evidence of wrongdoing, your pursuit of these actions is clearly intended to punish and burden broadcasters and other media companies by inflicting incalculable reputational harm and excessive costs to defend themselves.’

“The Democrats are giving Carr until April 14th to respond to a series of questions about the FCC’s wave of investigations.”

https://www.theverge.com/news/641084/t

Media Stop China War-Plans Briefing

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Article on Democracy Now by Staff, 3/24/25

Headline:  “Pentagon Hosts Elon Musk But Skips Briefing on China After Media Reports”

“Elon Musk visited the Pentagon Friday for a high-level meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and others. The New York Times had reported Musk was scheduled to receive a briefing on top-secret U.S. plans for a potential war with China, but the briefing was canceled after it was reported in the press. Musk threatened to go after whoever leaked what he called “maliciously false information” to the Times. Musk has close business ties with China, which is Tesla’s second-largest market. China is also the home of Tesla’s largest factory.”

https://www.democracynow.org/2025/3/24/headlines/pentagon_hosts_elon_musk_but_skips_briefing_on_china_after_media_reports

Finger on Scale of AP’s Hearing?

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Article in Reporters Without Borders by Staff, 3/19/25

Headline:  “USA: RSF condemns Elon Musk’s continued defamation of the AP ahead of its hearing on White House access”

“Elon Musk, head of the US Department of Government Efficiency, tweeted on March 18 ‘AP stands for Associated Propaganda’ in response to a screenshot of an Associated Press (AP) retraction of one of their stories, just two days before the AP’s hearing over its access to the White House. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) strongly objects to Musk’s inappropriate use of his position of power within the executive branch to influence judicial proceedings, under the pretext of using his personal account.

“Without a hint of irony, Elon Musk condemned the AP for doing what any responsible journalist or news organization should do – publish a correction when they get something wrong. Meanwhile, Musk is one of the Internet’s most prolific purveyors of misinformation and never holds himself accountable. . .”

https://rsf.org/en/usa-rsf-condemns-elon-musk-s-continued-defamation-ap-ahead-its-hearing-white-house-access

Not All Media Give-In

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Article in The Hill by Filip Timotija, 3/6/25

Headline:  “CBS News’ parent company Paramount filed a pair of motions in district court to dismiss President Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit stemming from the “60 Minutes” interview with former Vice President Harris right before the 2024 presidential election.”

Subhead:  “One of two motions, both filed in U.S. district court for the Northern District of Texas on Thursday, said the president’s lawsuit is an ‘affront to the First Amendment and is without basis in law or fact.’ “

“Paramount’s legal team wrote that Trump is seeking to “punish a news organization for constitutionally protected editorial judgments they do not like.

“ ‘They not only ask for $20 billion in damages but also seek an order directing how a news organization may exercise its editorial judgment in the future,’ they said. ‘The First Amendment stands resolutely against these demands.’ ”

https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5181790-cbs-files-motions-to-dismiss-trump-20-billion-lawsuit/

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Article in Status by (liver Darcy, 3/3/25

Headline:  “Shell-Shocked at CBS“

Subhead:  “As Paramount’s merger with Skydance nears the finish line, CBS News chief Wendy McMahon and ’60 Minutes’ boss Bill Owens have faced escalating pressure to settle Donald Trump’s lawsuit—including from incoming president Jeff Shell.”

” Last October, Jeff Shell, the veteran media executive set to serve as president of Paramount Global after its merger with Skydance Media is finalized, convened a meeting with CBS News chief Wendy McMahon, ’60 Minutes‘ boss Bill Owens, and government relations officials. . .”

“At the meeting, Shell requested that McMahon and Owens comply with Trump’s demand and release the transcript, according to people familiar with the matter. Shell’s involvement in the editorial matter immediately set off alarm bells. McMahon and Owens later told associates they were disturbed that Shell was inserting himself into the newsroom’s decision-making, given that Paramount’s merger with Skydance has yet to close and that corporate interference in journalistic matters is traditionally anathema. Even more troubling, Shell seemed to believe CBS News should have simply appeased Trump, despite the dangerous precedent it would set.”

https://www.status.news/p/paramount-cbs-60-minutes-lawsuit-settlement-talks

WSJ Sued for Tariffs?

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Article in The Guardian by Staff, 2/26/25

Headline:  “Trump threatens to sue media after Wall Street Journal editorial criticizes tariffs”

Subhead:  “Journal argued Trump’s tariff plans would harm ‘US auto workers and Republican prospects in Michigan’ “

“Wall Street Journal editorial slamming Donald Trump’s tariff plans as terrible for the US economy and auto industry prompted a broadside from the president on Wednesday followed by threats to sue the media.

“In an opinion piece titled Trump’s Tariffs Will Punish Michigan, the Journal argued Trump’s tariff plans would harm ‘US auto workers and Republican prospects in Michigan’.”

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/feb/26/trump-wall-street-journal-tariffs

Polygraphing Stops Media Leaks?

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Article in Medite by Akex Griffing, 2/21/25

Headline:  “Kristi Noem Reportedly Warned DHS Employees She’s Going to Start Polygraphing Them Over Leaking to the Media”

“Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told employees under her leadership they will be soon subject to polygraph tests asking about whether or not they have leaked to the media, reported Bloomberg News on Tuesday.

“Bloomberg’s Homeland Security reporter Ellen Gilmer scooped the news and reported that “Noem last week issued an internal directive that all polygraphs the Department of Homeland Security administers must include a question about unauthorized communications with media and nonprofit organizations, according to a memo described to Bloomberg Government by two people without authorization to speak publicly.”

https://www.mediaite.com/news/kristi-noem-reportedly-warned-dhs-employees-shes-going-to-start-polygraphing-them-over-leaking-to-the-media/