Nieman Lab daily news digest

The Daily Digest: October 08, 2026 Fox News attacks the media roughly every 15 minutes, our study finds. (CNN? Every 140 minutes.) “Disparaging journalism is a far more central part of Fox News programming than it is of either MSNBC or CNN programming.” By Philip M. Napoli, Adam Meskouri, Anjini Mani, Grant Socol and Harrison Walley. “We’re in their shit. They’re not in ours”: USA Today Co. execs defend Palantir deal What we’re reading The Verge / Emma Roth USA Today becomes the latest publisher to sue OpenAI → “In a filing on Thursday, the publisher asks for damages of more than $250 million, alleging OpenAI’s unauthorized use of its content ‘has done real and continuing’ harm to its outlets.” Google / Pushmeet Kohli Google expands SynthID Detector tool for AI content; it will soon be able to check Apple-generated content → The expansion of the SynthID Detector tool allows anyone, not just media professionals, to “easily check if an image, video, or audio file was made with AI from Google or our partners, including OpenAI, NVIDIA, Kakao, and soon, Apple.” Google says it has already watermarked over 180 billion images and videos, and 240,000 years of audio content. The company also says it regularly sees over one million verification requests per day via the tool. ⁂ “Be more Elvis: A little less conversation, a little more action.” → —Matt Brittin, the director-general of the BBC, in a speech to staff (Deadline / Jake Kanter) ⁂ The Desk / Matthew Keys ABC News rolls out vertical video clips within mobile app → “ABC News is adding a vertical video feed to its mobile app as parent company Disney expands a short-form format that has already generated significant engagement across ESPN and Disney Plus. Verts is available beginning Wednesday through a new icon within the ABC News app.” The New York Times / Erik Wemple Judge extends pause on Trump’s ban against CNN, MS NOW, and Politico → “The hearing on Thursday focused on restoration of the news outlets’ credentials for access to the White House grounds, and not on the so-called pool assignments that have emerged as a point of contention since Judge Kelly’s order took effect…Judge Kelly’s initial order did not address the pool assignments.” The Wrap / A.J. Katz Semafor names Reed Albergotti San Francisco bureau chief with new AI podcast → “Semafor is expanding its video slate and Silicon Valley presence with ‘Future Proof,’ a new AI-focused show hosted by veteran technology journalist Reed Albergotti, who is also becoming the outlet’s first San Francisco bureau chief…Google Workspace with Gemini will serve as the exclusive sponsor of the show’s inaugural season.” Deadline / Max Goldbart BBC apologizes “unreservedly” and removes article accusing PinkNews founder of sexual misconduct → “The corporation has agreed to pay compensation to PinkNews founder Benjamin Cohen and his husband Anthony James.” Cohen and James said in a statement: “By falsely portraying us as engaging in sexual misconduct and pressuring female employees over surrogacy, the BBC reinforced one of the most damaging homophobic tropes: that gay men are sexual predators who pose a threat to others. These were allegations that should never have been broadcast.” Politico / John Hendel “Head on a guillotine”: ABC says Trump’s threats are already swaying coverage → “ABC programs are already tempering their election coverage ahead of the midterms to avoid angering President Donald Trump, a lawyer for the broadcast company told a federal judge on Tuesday.” The Boston Globe / Meg Little Reilly In a crucial election season, student journalists are filling news voids → “In New England alone, more than a dozen colleges are home to community reporting programs including Clark University, Fitchburg State College, Worcester State College, Endicott College, Boston University, Northeastern University, Brandeis University, University of New England, University of Rhode Island, University of Connecticu