Press Freedom

Mickey Media Standing Up!

by

Article in Slate byLizzie O’Leary 6/2/26

Headline:  “Disney Finds Its Spine”

“In normal times, in a normal Federal Communications Commission, Anna M. Gomez’s job might be described as wonky. But now is not that time.

“A large part of my role is to call out this administration’s abuses of the First Amendment, particularly when it chooses to weaponize the FCC in trying to shut down any voices that it doesn’t like,” said Gomez. “And we see this constantly, there is a constant infringement on the free press and on the First Amendment and on the rights of viewers and listeners to see and hear what they want to see. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://slate.com/business/2026/06/fcc-disney-abc-renewal-lawsuit-brendan-carr.html

Understand Freedom of the Press

by


Article in The Atlantic by Adrienne Lafrance, 6/1/26

Headline:  “Use It or Lose It”

Subhead:  “Freedom of speech, and of the press, can be guaranteed only if Americans exercise their rights.”

“. . .Far too many people behave as though freedom of the press refers only to freedom for professional journalists. But journalists are not in some special category. The right to free press is, like free speech, a basic freedom that applies to all Americans who choose to exercise it. The First Amendment tells the government that it cannot encroach on any American’s right to speak and publish. Freedom of the press is not about the press; it’s about the freedom.. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/07/free-press-first-amendment-rights/687317/

Reporter Not in Jail Yet?

by

Article in Babylon Bee by Staff, 5/28/26

Headline: “Impatient Liberal Journalist Starting To Suspect Trump Will Never Send Her To A Concentration Camp”

“ATLANTA, GA — An impatient liberal journalist employed by . . . began to express doubts this week that President Trump will ever send her to a concentration camp.

“Sources said that Ginny Balton, a field reporter based in Atlanta, felt well-informed until only recently when she had to report on Trump exposing more government fraud and limiting the power of government, which was nothing at all like the actions of Adolf Hitler. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://babylonbee.com/news/impatient-liberal-journalist-starting-to-suspect-trump-will-never-send-her-to-a-concentration-camp

CBS and “60 Minutes” in Hurricane?

by

Article in Reuters by Staff, 5/28/26

Headline:  “CBS picks new ’60 Minutes’ leader from outside TV news”

“. . .CBS News named journalist Nick Bilton as executive producer of news magazine ’60 Minutes’ on Thursday, marking the ​first time the long running show has tapped a leader from outside traditional television news. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/cbs-news-taps-filmmaker-nick-bilton-lead-60-minutes-2026-05-28/

—–

Article in The Guardian by Jeremy Barr, 5/28/26

Headline:  “CBS News shakes up 60 Minutes as ousted correspondents ‘fear what comes next’ “

Subhead: “Ex-New York Times journalist Nick Bilton to replace Tanya Simon as executive producer of the Sunday newsmagazine”

“. . .All told, the moves on Thursday represent one of the most significant shake-ups of the venerable program, which has for 52 straight seasons been the most-watched news program on television, averaging 9.1 million total viewers in its most recent season. . . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/28/cbs-news-60-minutes-ousts-executive-producer

Journalists Waking Up

by

Article in Status by Oliver Darcy, 5/27/26

Headline:  “The Press Mobilizes Against Ellison

Subhead:  “A coalition of journalists, academics, and documentarians have signed a letter opposing Paramount’s acquisition of CNN’s parentco, Status has learned—voicing concern over the ramifications it will have for the news landscape.”

“Last month, thousands of Hollywood actors, directors, and producers signed an open letter vehemently opposing Paramount’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. The letter focused largely on the consequences the tie-up would have for the entertainment industry and consumer choice.”

Read the full article at:

https://www.status.news/p/david-ellison-paramount-cnn-journalists-letter

FCC Wants Labels for LGBTQIA+?

by

Article in Free Press by Staff 5/26/26

Headline:  “Free Press Objects to Chairman Carr’s ‘Morally Repugnant’ Proposal on TV Warning Labels for Transgender and Nonbinary Content”

“. . .On Friday, Free Press filed comments condemning the FCC’s inquiry on warning labels for what the agency vaguely describes as ‘transgender and gender non-binary programming.’ Earlier this year, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr initiated the proceeding to inquire whether television programs featuring LGBTQIA+ themes should carry specific labels or modified ratings. More than 50 organizations and industry associations, including Free Press, have filed comments to oppose Carr’s proposal. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.freepress.net/news/free-press-objects-chairman-carrs-repugnant-proposal-tv-warning-labels-transgender-nonbinary-content

Killing Late Night TV too Softly?

by


Article in AlterNet by Adam Lynch, 5/21/26

Headline: “Inside Trump’s growing frustration as his revenge tour loses its grip on media”

“Even as late-night comedian and critic Stephen Colbert prepares to end his show this week, President Donald Trump is raging that his administration hasn’t managed to kill even more late-night shows. . . .”

“Suebsaeng added that sources inside the White House say Trump is furious at the lack of progress. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.alternet.org/trump-late-night-comedy-colbert/

Attacking Media as the Enemy?

by

Article in Common Dreams by Scott Griffen, 5/21/26

Headline:  “When Trump Targets the Media, the World’s Autocrats Are Taking Notes”

Subhead: “Trump’s words and actions against the news media at home are inspiring copycat behavior by authoritarians and dictators around the world, fueling a growing global crisis of press freedom.“

“. . .Trump first tweeted the now-ubiquitous phrase ‘fake news’ and infamously labelled the news media the ‘enemies of the American people,’ such insults just don’t land like they used to.

“Yet Trump’s words do in fact matter. While many of Trump’s rhetorical attacks against the press during his first term were dismissed as bluster from a president known for his flair for the dramatic, they laid the groundwork for the broad attack on the media that we’re seeing under Trump 2.0. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/trump-targets-media

Hope for Journalism

by


Article in Poynter by Tom Jones, 5/18/26

Headline: “Opinion | Why one longtime media reporter still has hope for journalism”

“On ‘The Poynter Report Podcast,’ David Bauder reflects on four decades covering media upheaval and why he still believes in the work”

“There’s plenty to be depressed about when it comes to the state of journalism these days.

“Layoffs. Dwindling resources. A decline in audiences. And public distrust in the media partly sowed by a president who has done nothing but attack the press for the past decade.

“But it’s not all doom and gloom. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.poynter.org/commentary/2026/poynter-report-podcast-david-bauder-journalism-business-hope/