Journalist Awards

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Article in Poynter by Jennifer Orsi, 4/27/26

Headline: “Here are the winners of the 2026 Poynter Journalism Prizes”

Subhead: “Poynter contest honors journalism excellence across 12 categories, from local accountability to climate change to First Amendment issues”

“The Poynter Institute announced the winners and finalists for the 2026 Poynter Journalism Prizes Monday, honoring journalists and news organizations across platforms for exceptional work in 12 categories for writing, reporting, innovation and leadership. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2026/here-are-the-winners-of-the-2026-poynter-journalism-prizes/

Criticize Israel in the Media?

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Article in The Guardian by Jason Stanley, 4/27/26

Headline:  “Why is the US media silent about Israel’s role in Trump’s decision to go to war?”

Subhead:  “I suspect the main reason they avoid criticizing Israel is that they believe that would be antisemitic. But this is both dangerous and wrong”

“. . .The western media has been admirably clear that Putin has a closer relationship with Trump than any previous US president (and admirably critical of this relationship). But there has been no similar level of transparency in the media about Israel’s influence on US policy. . .”

“Crucially, propaganda does not just take the form of lies. Omitting mention in the news media of crucial facts is also paradigmatic of state propaganda. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/27/trump-israel-trump-war

Slowly Sinking . . .

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Article in Daily Kos by Oliver Willis, 4/24/26

Headline:  “Alex Jones lost Infowars—and now he’s losing his sh-t”

“Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is losing the empire of lies, deception, and dubious brain pills that he’s spent decades pushing—and he’s not happy about it.

“Jones has spent the last few days directing his signature rants toward The Onion, which is in the process of acquiring Jones’ Infowars brand that he lost as a result of bankruptcy proceedings. Specifically, Jones has directed his ire toward comedian and satirist Tim Heidecker, the new creative director of Infowars. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/4/24/800027311/media-and-culture/alex-jones-lost-infowars/

Thinking About AI Media

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Article in Poynter by Alex Mahadevan, 4/24/26

Headline:  “Opinion | Why can’t newsroom leaders just be normal about AI?”

Subhead:  “A series of tumultuous generative artificial intelligence rollouts make clear that leaders need to listen before leaping”

“I’m more optimistic about generative artificial intelligence in journalism than most of my peers. So it pains me to see AI rollouts that are short-sighted — or even offensive — threaten the fragile truce between reporters and the technology. . .”

“Simply creating more content for the hell of it is like putting a new steering wheel on a Geo Metro. If your AI experiment doesn’t start with a clear problem that your audience or your newsroom actually has, no amount of technology will save it. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.poynter.org/commentary/2026/why-cant-newsroom-leaders-just-be-normal-about-ai/

Grabbing Radio

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Article in the New York Times by Lauren Hirsch and Benjamin Mullin

Headline:  “SiriusXM Said to Be in Early Talks to Acquire iHeartMedia”

Subhead:  “A deal, which was described by two people familiar with the discussions, would unite two major providers of traditional and satellite radio.”

“SiriusXM is in early-stage discussions to acquire iHeartMedia, a deal that would create an audio giant with a foothold in traditional and satellite radio and podcasts, two people familiar with the discussions said Friday.

“Should a deal come to fruition, it would be the culmination of years of speculation about a tie-up. Liberty SiriusXM Group, once an affiliate of John Malone’s media empire, formerly held significant stakes in both companies. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/24/business/media/siriusxm-iheart-radio.html

More Media Consolidation

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Article in Slashdot by BeauHD, 4/23/26

Headline: “Warner Bros Shareholders Approve Paramount’s $81 Billion Takeover”

“Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders have approved Paramount Skydance’s takeover bid, moving the massive Hollywood merger a step closer to completion. It’s not a done deal quite yet, though, as it still faces regulatory scrutiny and fierce opposition from critics who warn it will further concentrate media power. The Associated Press reports. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://entertainment.slashdot.org/story/26/04/23/1940241/warner-bros-shareholders-approve-paramounts-81-billion-takeover

More CBS Angst

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Article in Daily Beast by Annabella Rosciglione, 4/23/26

Headline:  “CBS Staffers Revolt After MAGA-Coded Anchor’s Wild Lecture”

“CBS News staffers have been fuming over the network’s top talent ever since he released a video complaining about the ‘legacy media.’

Before CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil took over the anchor chair, he posted a video in January accusing the ‘legacy media’ of having ‘missed the story’ by putting ‘too much weight in the analysis of academics or elites, and not enough on you.’. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/cbs-staffers-revolt-after-maga-coded-anchor-tony-dokoupils-wild-lecture-on-legacy-media/

Investigate Journalist for Reporting?

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Article in Daily Kos by Oliver Willis, 4/23/26

Headline: “Kash Patel’s FBI is mad as hell that this reporter did her job”

“FBI agents investigated a New York Times reporter who uncovered that FBI Director Kash Patel’s girlfriend was being ferried around on taxpayer-funded flights.

“The New York Times reported Thursday that agents probed reporter Elizabeth Williamson in March, following the article about Patel that she wrote in February. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/4/23/800026413/media-and-culture/kash-patel-fbi-reporter/

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Article in The Hill by Dominick Mastrangelo, 4/23/26

Headline:  “New York Times alleges FBI investigated journalist after report about Patel girlfriend ”

Read the article at:

https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5844807-fbi-investigates-new-york-times-journalist-patel-girlfriend-security/

Oily Fox News?

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Article in Media Matters by Zachary Pleat, 4/23/36

Headline:  “As gas prices go up from the Iran war, Fox News celebrates the ‘biggest payday in history’ for oil companies”

Subhead:  “The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is straining the American and global economies”

“Fox News is embracing the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to President Donald Trump’s war against Iran as an economic boon for U.S. petroleum exports — even though the closure will further increase American gasoline prices. Fox has already tried to downplay the increasing fuel prices that have resulted from the closure, which is currently straining both the U.S. and global economies in numerous ways, including threatening famine and global recession. , ,”

Read the full article at:

https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/gas-prices-go-iran-war-fox-news-celebrates-biggest-payday-history-oil-companies

Food Fight at Correspondents’ Dinner?

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Article in Poynter by Amaris Castillo, Angela Fu, and Ren LaForme, 4/22/26

Headline:  “Opinion | The White House Correspondents’ Dinner guest list keeps raising eyebrows”

Subhead: “Brendan Carr’s planned appearance and Trump’s return complicate an event already fraught with press tensions”

“Federal Communications Chair Brendan Carr plans to attend this weekend’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Oliver Darcy reports in his Status newsletter, adding another controversial name to a guest list that already includes Pete Hegseth, Stephen Miller and Donald Trump. Carr confirmed his attendance in a text message to Status, though it’s unclear what table he’ll join. His presence raises eyebrows because he has used his role to target major broadcasters and float potential actions against journalists. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.poynter.org/commentary/2026/brendan-carr-fcc-chair-attending-whca-dinner/

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Article in Daily Beast by David Gardner, 4/22/26

Headline:  “Trump’s Plans for ‘Mic-Drop’ Media Confrontation Are Leaked”

Subhead:  “AFTER-DINNER SCREECH – The president is planning a rage-fueled moment at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.”

“Donald Trump will launch a ‘revenge’ attack on the White House media when he confronts them in person at a Washington dinner on Saturday night—then flee before there can be revenge.

“He is expected to target publications that he has accused of writing negatively about his administration and his war with Iran, in particular, according to sources.

“The Daily Beast is among the outlets the president and his aides have accused of ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome.’. . .”

Read the full article at:

https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-plans-for-mic-drop-media-confrontation-at-white-house-correspondents-association-dinner-are-leaked/