Pope Leo XIV Defends Press Freedom, Calls Journalists a “Bulwark Against Lies”
Pope Leo XIV issued a strong endorsement of press freedom on Thursday, warning against media manipulation and calling journalism a vital defense against disinformation. Speaking to international news agency leaders from MINDS International, the first American pope urged the release of imprisoned journalists and praised the profession’s role in informing the world about conflicts like Gaza and Ukraine. Quoting Hannah Arendt, he warned of the dangers when the lines between truth and fiction are blurred. Leo also addressed the growing challenges posed by artificial intelligence and economic instability in the media sector. Read More (Associated Press Rating)
Alex Jones Appeals $1.4 Billion Defamation Judgment to Supreme Court
Right-wing commentator Alex Jones has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to pause a $1.4 billion defamation judgment against him over false claims related to the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Jones’s legal team argues that without intervention, his assets, including InfoWars, could be liquidated before the high court reviews the case, causing him “irreparable harm.” The families of the victims, who won the case, have previously rejected his appeals, and this marks Jones’s final effort to overturn the massive ruling. The Supreme Court is expected to consider the petition in a closed-door conference on Friday. Read More (Washington Examiner Rating)
NYC Sues Big Tech Over Youth Mental Health Crisis
New York City has filed a lawsuit against major social media companies—Meta, Alphabet, Snap, and ByteDance—alleging they deliberately designed addictive features that harm young users’ mental health. The city claims these platforms contribute to a growing public health crisis, citing that over 77% of high schoolers are impacted. The suit accuses the tech firms of ignoring internal research on app-related harm and seeks damages under public nuisance and negligence laws. The case adds to mounting legal pressure on tech companies over their role in youth well-being. Read More (Engadget Rating)
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