All articles tagged with #media law
The US Department of Justice is investigating five major television networks for potential antitrust violations after they suspended pooled coverage of President Donald Trump. The probe follows the administration's ban on CNN, MS Now, and Politico, which led the remaining networks to halt their shared reporting duties in solidarity.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly is poised to issue a preliminary injunction blocking President Trump's ban on CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House. The administration's national security justification is contradicted by Trump's public statements about punishing negative coverage. The case raises alarms over potential criminal prosecution of journalists under the Espionage Act.
The Trump administration is airing a series of television advertisements featuring the president, paid for with federal funds, just weeks before the November midterm elections. Critics from both parties argue these spots violate laws prohibiting the use of taxpayer money for political propaganda, while the White House maintains they are patriotic public service announcements.
A new 30-second television ad praising President Donald Trump, set to the song 'Love Me,' has begun airing on national networks including CBS and Fox News. The spot, which features rapid cuts of the president and slogans like 'America will never be a communist country,' is explicitly labeled as 'Paid for by the U.S. Government.' While the White House defends the campaign as a patriotic public service announcement, Democratic lawmakers and legal experts argue it violates federal laws prohibiting the use of taxpayer funds for political propaganda. The artist behind the song, JMSN, has stated he did not grant permission for its use.
Judge Scott Beattie permanently dismissed President Trump’s lawsuit against pollster J. Ann Selzer and the Des Moines Register, ruling that opinion polls are protected speech and cannot be deemed fraudulent for being inaccurate. The case stemmed from a 2024 poll showing Kamala Harris ahead in Iowa, which Trump lost by 13 points. Trump’s team plans to appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court.
The Trump administration launched a 30-second television ad on Wednesday night, featuring the president and military imagery, with a disclaimer stating it was paid for by the U.S. government. The spot, which aired on Fox News and Newsmax, includes Trump declaring that America will never be a communist country. Democrats have challenged the legality of the funding, while the artist of the background music claims he did not authorize its use. The White House labeled the spot a public service announcement, ignoring questions about its financial source.
Federal Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order requiring the Trump administration to reinstate White House press passes for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico. The ruling, issued just hours before President Trump’s meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, found that the ban lacked factual support for national security claims and violated due process. While the order is in effect for 14 days, some reporters faced initial access issues, and the broader media industry has mobilized in support of the three outlets.
An Iowa state judge has permanently dismissed President Donald Trump's lawsuit against the Des Moines Register, Gannett, and pollster J. Ann Selzer. The ruling, issued on September 23, 2026, bars the president from refiling the same claims. Trump's legal team plans to appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court. The case centered on a 2024 poll showing Kamala Harris leading in Iowa, which Trump argued constituted election interference.
An Iowa judge has permanently dismissed President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against pollster J. Ann Selzer, the Des Moines Register, and Gannett. The ruling, issued on September 23, 2026, bars the president from refiling the same claims. Trump’s legal team plans to appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court. The case centered on a 2024 poll showing Kamala Harris leading in Iowa, which Trump argued constituted election interference.
An Iowa judge has permanently dismissed President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against pollster J. Ann Selzer, the Des Moines Register, and Gannett. The ruling, issued on September 23, 2026, bars the president from refiling the same claims. Trump’s legal team plans to appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court. The case centered on a 2024 poll showing Kamala Harris leading in Iowa, which Trump argued constituted election interference.
An Iowa judge dismissed Donald Trump’s lawsuit against pollster J. Ann Selzer and the Des Moines Register, ruling that polling data constitutes protected political speech rather than commercial fraud. The decision, which bars Trump from refiling the same claim, marks a significant setback in his broader legal campaign against news outlets.
Judge Timothy Kelly postponed a decision on whether to restore White House access for CNN, MS NOW, and Politico, citing due process violations but deferring to national security concerns during President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit. Over 50 media organizations, including Fox News and The New York Times, filed an amicus brief condemning the ban as viewpoint discrimination. The Justice Department argued the ban was necessary for national security, while plaintiffs contended the rationale was retroactively applied. The hearing ended without a ruling, with Kelly promising a decision soon.
Cleveland-area television stations ignored a cease-and-desist letter from Republican Rep. Max Miller’s legal team to broadcast a 30-second ad from Democratic challenger Brian Poindexter. The ad highlights domestic abuse allegations made by Miller’s ex-wife, Emily Moreno, whom Miller denies. Poindexter’s campaign responded to the legal threat by tearing up the letter in a video, marking a shift from cost-of-living messaging to personal attacks. Meanwhile, the National Republican Congressional Committee launched a counter-ad accusing Poindexter of criminal history and socialist ideology. This escalation follows months of Democratic investment in Ohio’s 7th District, where polls show Poindexter leading Miller by eight points despite Miller’s refusal to drop out of the race.
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico filed a federal lawsuit on Monday to reverse President Trump’s ban on their White House access, arguing it violates the First Amendment and Due Process Clause. The outlets seek a temporary restraining order to restore credentials and challenge the decision, which followed a Friday announcement by Trump accusing them of publishing 'fake news.'
New Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross has filed a $100 million defamation lawsuit against The Philadelphia Inquirer and editor Nancy Phillips. The suit alleges that Phillips fabricated notes from a 2019 interview with Susan Bass Levin and funneled them to New Jersey prosecutors, forming the basis of a racketeering case against Norcross that was later dismissed. Norcross claims the notes were false and that Phillips acted out of personal animus stemming from a prior ownership dispute involving her late partner, Lewis Katz. The Inquirer denies directly providing the notes to prosecutors, stating they were shared with a third party. Norcross has pledged to donate any settlement proceeds to public education and safety programs in Camden, Pennsauken, and Philadelphia.