The upcoming four years represent a pivotal period for America, demanding unwavering commitment to free and impartial journalism. HuffPost, facing this critical juncture, is launching an ad-free experience for contributing supporters. This initiative aims to ensure continued delivery of fearless news coverage without compromising journalistic integrity. Support from readers is crucial to maintain this vital service.
At the Jubilee of the World of Communications, Pope Francis cautioned against the detrimental effects of excessive social media use, likening it to “brain rot,” while simultaneously urging journalists to be courageous truth-tellers. He emphasized the critical role of hope-filled storytelling in countering misinformation and division, highlighting the sacrifices of media professionals, particularly the over 120 journalists killed in 2024, many in Gaza. The Pope concluded by calling for narratives that inspire, heal, and foster unity.
Following their initial suspension for reporting on the identity of Adrian Dittmann, X researchers Ryan Fae and maia arson crimew were instructed to delete further posts mentioning Dittmann. This second wave of deletions targeted posts with minimal or no direct reference to Dittmann, including those simply referencing the original article revealing his identity. Crimew, after deleting the flagged posts, had their account reinstated, while Fae and Jacqueline Sweet, the journalist who initially broke the story, remain suspended and have refused to comply with X’s demands. This inconsistent application of X’s policies has sparked criticism regarding censorship and the platform’s commitment to free speech.
Patrick Egan, a 39-year-old Colorado man, is facing potential bias-motivated charges for assaulting a Pacific Islander television reporter, Ja’Ronn Alex. The attack, which followed a 40-mile pursuit, stemmed from Egan’s questioning of Alex’s citizenship and included a statement referencing “Trump’s America.” Egan tackled and choked Alex, who was reportedly losing breath during the assault partially caught on surveillance video. Egan’s charges include bias-motivated crimes, second-degree assault, and harassment.
Elon Musk’s assertion that X’s users constitute “the media now” is demonstrably false. The platform primarily amplifies misinformation spread by partisan influencers, not credible journalism. Musk himself, despite possessing significant newsworthy information and access, fails to utilize X responsibly, instead denying or withholding crucial details. Therefore, X functions more as a misinformation platform than a legitimate news source, undermining Musk’s claim.
In response to Elon Musk’s transformation of X into a platform for disinformation and propaganda, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), representing over 295,000 journalists, will cease publishing content on the platform starting January 20, 2025. This decision, mirroring actions by other European news outlets, cites concerns about Musk’s collaboration with Donald Trump and the platform’s promotion of harmful content. The EFJ emphasizes its commitment to press freedom and ethical journalism in making this choice. This action reflects the growing concerns about the erosion of public trust in social media platforms and the threat to democratic discourse.
John Q. Hosedrinker