Ted Tuner CNN Launch Speech (1980)

 

Ted Turner (1938-2026)  was one of the founders of CNN. This was the first 24 hour cable news network. CNN was a major innovator in broadcasting, but it signaled the problems with  modern journalism. The control of news by large corporations and billionaires made it impossible to present alternative perspectives on domestic and foreign affairs. CNN has throughout is existence presented itself as a liberal leaning channel, yet as time passed it became more political centrist directed. Ted Turner's motivation for creating CNN was not to have the public informed. Rather it was to generate higher profits and have dominance in television. Turner Broadcasting System went on to become a force in cable. Having this much control over entertainment and mass media can result in the manipulation of public opinion. Media literacy is lowered when only a few sources of information are available and viewers do not question what is being reported. Ted Tuner's creation of CNN harmed media literacy and the quality of journalism. It made a path for more vitriolic broadcasting with the emerging competitors such as Fox News in 1996. CNN now has to compete with a word of digital media and some question if it can adapt.    

A Decade of Apple News

 

Apple News was launched in 2015. It was a replacement for Newsstand which lasted as iOS application for 14 years. The application is an aggregator, which collects news from various sources. The aggregator is designed to help a use get their news in one place. The user of the application gets to select their sources, however algorithms are going to favor establishment media. Bias and polarization are becoming large problems in reporting. Apple did face a scandal in 2025, when artificial intelligence was used for news summaries. Apple's AI was creating false headlines. Apple then disabled the AI feature and began working on updates to fix the issue. False information or fake news was a problem before the 2010s. Establishment media either made incorrect statements or distorted particular events. Some critics argue that the public should obtain enough media literacy. Even the most knowledgeable and educated people can still be manipulated by the media. The older generation might be more susceptible seeing as they are not as familiar with various apps. AI is going to be used more in aggregators. Trying to determine truth or mendacious claims become more complicated. Combined with Google's dominance as a search engine, information is becoming more controlled. Apple News still provides newspapers in digital format such as the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal. Many independent media related materials would not be on Apple News. At some stage Apple News could be completely run and managed by AI. Assuming it adapts, Apple News also could be retired in favor of a completely different application.   

Tik Tok CEO Shou Zi Chew Responds To The Supreme Court Ruling

The US Supreme Court has shown support for the banning of Tik Tok. Based on the First Amendment this could be considered a violation of free speech and press. The legislation has to pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Tik Tok CEO Shou Zi Chew made a video response to the US Supreme Court. The response was more so directed at users. Chew assured Tik Tok users that an agreement can be reached with the US government. The case for the ban is that Tik Tok poses a national security risk related to data. There is no evidence that the CCP is using Tik Tok for espionage. If that was the actual concern, then Google, X, and Meta should be investigated. A bias exists against Tik Tok, because it is a Chinese company. The US government is attempting censorship on the basis of national security. If the Tik Tok ban happens, then a number of social media platforms could be at risk. Shou Zi Chew believes he persuade the in coming Trump administration to shift policy. Considering Trump's anti-China rhetoric, this seems unlikely. Even if a presidential veto is done it could be overridden. Social media has been under attack since the late 2010s. The attempts to ban Tik Tok is an extension of a growing movement to control access to information. 

 

Infowars Facing Possible Shutdown

 

Infowars could be ending operation. Alex Jones can no longer keep the media empire going due to the lawsuits related to the reporting on the Sandy Hook Elementary  School shooting. Alex Jones has filed for bankruptcy and Infowars is now up for auction. Alex Jones was charged for defamation for asserting the shootings were nothing more than a hoax. The families of the victims are expected to get cash settlements from Infowars. Alex Jones is hoping to find a buyer for his media company, but that does not mean he would remain employed under new management. Some sources report that Roger Stone might be interested in the purchase of Infowars. Infowars has been active since 1999. When it launched very few news based websites were on the internet. The public was still getting their news from television and  corporate media. Infowars is known for conspiracy theories and right leaning ideology. However, Alex Jones does not favor the neoconservative political establishment. During the 2000s Jones was a critic of the Bush administration and objected to Hillary Clinton's foreign policy. Infowars was given more mainstream attention in 2016. The reason was based on Alex Jones supporting Trump and the concern about disinformation on the internet. Infowars was then banned from Youtube and other social media platforms. Infowars has published false claims, but corporate media has done the same. Fox News and CNN rarely retract false stories or correct their media bias. Alex Jones may not be the main target. The case and bankruptcy proceedings could be used as a blueprint for prohibiting independent media. By linking independent media to more fringe movements, it becomes a justification for shutdown. Content creators could be demonetized, accused of spreading disinformation, or face defamation charges. Alex Jones stated that he will find another platform to do reporting. With Free Speech Systems be part of the bankruptcy proceedings, it will be difficult. Broadcasting continues to evolve with culture and technology. Infowars was able to build with a niche audience and eventually was noticed by the mainstream media. 

Julian Assange Set To Be Released From Prison

 

The attempts of the US governments persecution of Julian Assange could be coming to an end. The plea deal allows 17 changes against Assange related to espionage to be dropped. Part of the plea deal is that Assange pleads guilty to one charge. The case shows that there is no evidence he was conducting espionage or working on the behalf of a foreign power. Assange is an Australian citizen and the US criminal charges against him would have legal implications with his home country. Prime Minister  Anthony Albanese condemned the US attempt to have him extradited.  Julian Assange has done nothing criminal and was forced into Belmarsh Prison. While incarcerated in the UK Assange was put into solitary confinement. There is enough evidence to show his basic human rights were violated. The Espionage Act charge does not hold. What Assange released on Wikileaks were diplomatic cables. These were not classified documents. A diplomatic cable would not be sensitive information revealing national security related  intelligence.  Chelsea Manning has access to classified documents, not Assange. Wikileaks was able to reveal the war crimes of the US in Iraq and Afghanistan. The extent of murder and violence was largely censored in American mainstream media.  There have not been criminal charges of officials in the Bush or Obama administration related to those crimes. As Assange returns to Australia a growing concern about his safety is felt. Julian Assange has suffered mental and physical health decline related to his imprisonment. It might take a longtime for him to recover from 11 years of being a political prisoner. His release was a triumph for advocates of free press and independent journalism. 

Jiang Zemin Criticizes The Model of Reporting

 

President Jiang Zemin's leadership further cemented China's transition  to a free market in the  1990s.Economic liberalization did not produce the reforms that some desired. The Chinese Communist Party remained the only political force in the People's Republic of China. Maoism was phased out by the 1980s.  President Zemin in this rare video criticizes a journalist for not understanding the nature of the system. He implies that the questions asked do not consider the complexities of China politics and government. Zemin explains that it is important for a journalist to be knowledgeable and have greater understanding of certain situations. The model of modern reporting is to repeat a certain narrative. The problem with this is that it can normalize bias, without examining other perspectives. While Jiang Zemin's point is valid, but that does not negate the fact the government is a one party state. The absence of free press or political opposition make it difficult for journalism to evolve. The footage demonstrates how leaders in China try to deflect the authoritarian nature of the regime. The modern model of reporting does have flaws, which abusive governments can use to their advantage. They can cite unfair reporting as a foreign plot or disinformation to restrict free speech. Under Zemin's administration the urban-rural wealth gap grew and state owned enterprises closed. Few in China seriously criticized or challenged him on policy.