Poynter

08/21/2026

A familiar name has emerged as a possible candidate to replace White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt: CNN commentator Scott Jennings.

Jennings, who loves to stick up for President Donald Trump while tangling with liberals on “CNN NewsNight,” is an early favorite to replace Leavitt, but reports say that Trump isn’t totally sold on the idea.

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Reportedly, President Trump wants a man in the position again, and some sources are pointing to Jennings as a candidate for the role.

08/21/2026

The Associated Press plans to lay off 20 video production staff in the U.S. today and move those jobs to a new production hub in India.

The decision to eliminate journalists with decades of experience and move their jobs covering American news to India raises concerns about the quality of future coverage, union leaders said.

Read this: https://buff.ly/deQ8qoD

The union representing the laid-off staff says the move raises concerns about the quality of future coverage

08/20/2026

🗣️Journalism divas, assemble! We’re in the final weeks of our limited-edition Poynter merch, including the “busy saving the free press” journal and “Journalism Diva” sweatshirt, and you do NOT want to miss this 🫵

Did you get yours yet? These divas definitely did 🤩The items will be leaving the store after Labor Day Weekend. Grab it before it’s gone!

🔗Buy now: https://merchloop.com/collections/poyntermerchstore

08/20/2026

From ethical lapses to struggling leadership, the ragtag staff of ad sales reps, accountants and toilet paper pushers-turned journalists staffing “The Paper,” Peacock’s spinoff of “The Office,” need some serious help if they are going to provide news for the fictional Toledo Truth Teller.

With season 2 of “The Paper” premiering on Sept. 9, we’re here to help! Swipe to see how we'd sprinkle Poynter Magic on the Truth Teller newsroom.

🔗Read the full story: https://buff.ly/ExcJpiM

08/20/2026

Following news that ABC sued the FCC, alleging that the agency had violated the company’s First Amendment rights, FCC chair Brendan Carr claimed in an NPR interview that Disney’s lawsuit is “without merit.”

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The FCC is supposed to operate as an independent agency. New records reveal extensive ties among its chair, the White House and conservative media.

08/20/2026

The FCC is supposed to operate as an independent government agency. New records reveal extensive ties between FCC chair Brendan Carr, the White House and conservative media.

Read this media story and more in today’s Poynter Report newsletter:

The FCC is supposed to operate as an independent agency. New records reveal extensive ties among its chair, the White House and conservative media.

08/19/2026

“By documenting our significant milestones and efforts in the community, the Indianapolis Recorder does more than report the news; it uplifts our mission, inspires future generations, and honors the rich history of Black excellence in Indiana,” said Ilisha Dowell, president of Alpha Mu Omega in Indianapolis.

Here’s how the Indianapolis Recorder is maintaining its role as an essential cultural archive while navigating shifts in the news business:

Indianapolis Recorder thrives as the city's main source of news about Black residents, amid changing news ecosystem

08/19/2026

Data centers help power everyday tasks such as streaming shows, using Apple Pay, social media or asking a chatbot questions.

They’re not new, but their presence is expanding.

Here are the facts behind what data centers are, how they operate, and what it could mean for communities when a data center opens nearby.

The facilities power everything from streaming to AI. Thousands more are planned, raising questions about electricity, water, jobs and costs.

08/19/2026

A fake polling company released bogus poll numbers about political candidates in California and Wisconsin as a “short term social experiment to examine how purported polling information could enter and spread through the political information ecosystem without independent verification.”

To an extent, the experiment worked.

When it comes to polls, journalists are essential gatekeepers. Here are some best practices for newsrooms reporting on polls:

A bogus pollster injected fake numbers into the political information ecosystem. Here’s what journalists — and everyone else — should learn from it.

08/19/2026

Multiple South Florida newsrooms are sounding the alarm over a new tactic for suppressing undesirable news stories: false copyright claims.

Read this media story and more in today's Poynter Report newsletter:

A bogus pollster injected fake numbers into the political information ecosystem. Here’s what journalists — and everyone else — should learn from it.