Why does Grok post false, offensive things on X? Here are 4 revealing incidents.
Grok’s training, including how the model is told to respond, and the material it aggregates likely played a role in its spew of hate speech.
News
Opinion | The Trump assassination attempt — one year later
There’s much we still don’t understand about that pivotal moment, but journalists are still seeking answers
Hearst buys the The Dallas Morning News, and 140 years of local ownership ends
Deal builds Texas hub for Hearst, shrinks remaining locally focused public newspaper companies to two
Loss of local journalists may be even worse than you think
New report from Muck Rack and Rebuild Local News shows sharp decline in local journalists in last 20+ years
Opinion | Why did Linda Yaccarino quit as CEO of X?
Placating advertisers, defending Elon Musk, dealing with Grok's Nazi posts — what was the final straw?
Under Trump, LGBTQ+ journalists say their work has never been more important — or exhausting
For LGBTQ+ reporters, the Trump admin’s campaign against their community’s rights has served as both a motivator and a source of emotional turmoil
Opinion | Trump admin scrambles to shut down Epstein talk — but MAGA isn’t having it
The DOJ says there’s no Epstein client list. But Trump’s base won’t let the matter die—and the conspiracy theories are only growing.
Business & Work
As police face lawsuits over attacks on journalists during LA protests, experts warn press safety is disappearing across the US
Lawsuits after ICE raids and No Kings march say officers targeted reporters, raising alarms about press freedom even in states with strong protections
Opinion | Wishing for a world where corporate motives didn’t clash with the sacred trust of journalism
A journalist proposes a pact for business owners to safeguard journalists' responsibilities
Supreme Court denies review of case by group founded by RFK Jr. against Poynter, Meta
The U.S. Supreme Court denied review of a lawsuit filed against Meta and the Poynter/PolitiFact by RFK Jr.-founded group
Public media has a bright future. We have to start acting like it.
To become essential local news providers, public media leaders must identify what their communities need and own it
Commentary
Opinion | After leaving the military, NPR’s public service mission gave us a new opportunity to serve
After serving in the Coast Guard and Army, we received internships at NPR. The roles launched our careers and let us keep serving the public
Opinion | More heartbreaking stories and coverage from the Texas floods
Plus, a warning about fake flood stories, a controversy over Zohran Mamdani coverage, and the lack of news about the Epstein Files.
Opinion | Media coverage of the devastating Texas floods
Along with intimate stories about victims, families and rescue attempts, outlets ask if weather service cuts slowed warnings or the response.
Opinion | Paramount’s Trump settlement hands CBS News a black eye
The company caved to a meritless lawsuit to smooth its merger path and undermined its own journalists in the process
Educators & Students
The detention of a Tufts University student might force changes in student media policies
Student journalists are weighing new editorial risks after ICE detained a Tufts student who co-wrote a column criticizing university policy
ASU is launching a $14.5 million center to speed up journalism’s transformation
The Knight Center for the Future of News aims to help strengthen local and regional journalism by bringing educators, research and newsrooms together
America’s top journalism schools may lose a generation of international talent
The Trump administration is pausing visa interviews for students and fellows while it drafts new vetting rules
Student journalists are doing the work many newsrooms can’t afford
A growing movement has students covering towns their local papers can no longer reach
Ethics & Trust
Thousands saw a story that two girls were rescued from a tree in the Texas flood. It was fake.
The story of a local news site's retracted report offers warnings about the need for vigilance against misinformation during disasters
Chris Wallace, other veteran journalists talk fairness, trust and today’s media challenges at Poynter event in D.C.
Tia Mitchell and Lori Montenegro also joined Poynter as part of “Moments of Truth” traveling exhibit to discuss media literacy and press freedom
When immigration data becomes political theater
Immigration researcher Austin Kocher warns that reporting arrest quotas without context can amplify administration messaging
When Jon Stewart took over ‘The Daily Show,’ satire became a trusted news source
Fed up with ‘partisan hackery,’ Stewart trumped traditional media for some fans — even with a show that followed ‘puppets making crank phone calls’
Fact-Checking
Some viral videos of Texas flooding might be fake. Here’s how to spot them.
Numerous social media videos claiming to be about the Texas flash floods misrepresented footage from previous natural disasters.
Grok made up a criminal past for the Idaho shooting suspect. Millions saw it on X.
There’s no evidence Wess Roley had a criminal record or a no-contact order. But Grok said otherwise and the false details went viral.
International fact-checkers seek ways to evolve amid funding changes, rise of artificial intelligence
Hundreds of fact-checkers from around the world gathered at GlobalFact to discuss innovation opportunities amid industry challenges
What is thimerosal, and why did RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel just vote against it?
The preservative is in a small share of flu shots and has been studied for decades. Experts say it’s safe — despite Kennedy’s long opposition.
From the Institute
Jane Pauley of ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ to receive Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism
‘Doonesbury’ creator G.B. ‘Garry’ Trudeau, New York Times editor Dean Baquet will also receive distinguished service awards at Poynter’s Bowtie Ball
Poynter creates Roy Peter Clark Chair for Writing and Editing in honor of writing coach
$500,000 fundraising campaign begins to expand writing programs
Poynter and the DC Public Library host events on misinformation and understanding the news
Activities include interactive exhibit, media literacy workshops and a press freedom discussion featuring veteran television anchor Chris Wallace
‘I want to give early-career reporters the best shot at launching their careers.’
A Q&A with Poynter adjunct faculty Tom Huang about the course that unlocks the secrets reporters used to pick up in the newsroom
ICYMI
South Korea’s fact-checking future is uncertain as a key donor retreats
The withdrawal of funding from ‘the Google of South Korea’ has left SNU FactCheck scrambling to find a new sponsor. A shutdown looms.
Mongolia moves to seize power to shut down internet, control social media
In an expedited process, 77% of parliament members voted in favor of legislation that sharply limits government criticism.
IFCN
Fact-checkers from Brazil, Indonesia and the US win 2025 Global Fact-Checking Awards
Journalists from across the globe recognized for their fact-checking work during IFCN’s GlobalFact 12 summit in Rio de Janeiro
Advice to fact-checkers at GlobalFact: Innovate, collaborate, uphold ethics
Three leading journalists from Latin America shared with global fact-checkers a message of hope amid attacks on the industry
Opinion | The truth is still worth fighting for
As fact-checkers gather in Rio this week, the fight for information integrity has never been more urgent
Latin American fact-checkers urge funders, platforms, governments to defend public’s right to know
Journalists meeting in Brazil unite to issue statement and call to action
Locally
In Northern California, one news outlet commits to representing an entire community with fairness and curiosity
Shasta Scout founder Annelise Pierce says curiosity and a want to understand drives her approach to local news
In a nation of news deserts, are there news rainforests, too? If so, where?
Even idealistic digital startups tend to head where the money is.
A university steps in with a new model for preserving local news
The nonprofit NEWSWELL, a project of Arizona State University, offers an innovative approach for giving newsrooms the support they need
‘Meet people, spot talent, give them the chance’
How nonprofit startup the Mississippi Free Press built an inclusive newsroom to connect with a statewide audience
News Releases
A lot has changed since we created AI ethics guidelines for newsrooms. Here’s what you need to know now
We’ve updated Poynter’s ‘starter kit’ for newsrooms to build AI policies, including sections for visual journalists and product teams
The International Fact-Checking Network’s statement on proposed legislation in Hungary
The IFCN supports press freedom for all fact-checkers, including Lakmusz
As threats grow, fact-checkers double down on standards, IFCN report finds
IFCN reviewed 226 applications in 2024 and certified 116 organizations, bringing the total number of verified fact-checkers to 182 across 57 countries
25 public media stations to begin training in Advanced Digital Transformation Program
CPB-funded Poynter Institute Advanced Track training fosters greater digital innovation and growth across public media
Newsletters
Opinion | The on-again, off-again Trump-Musk relationship is back off again
The feud flared back up on X, where Musk blasted Trump’s spending bill. Trump then threatened to sic DOGE on him.
Opinion | Does TikTok have a buyer?
Trump says there's a buyer but didn't say who. ByteDance faces a looming deadline, and it’s not even clear if TikTok is really for sale.
Opinion | Fox News’ Lara Trump is eyeing a Senate run in North Carolina
Sen. Tom Tillis is stepping down after voting against the president’s agenda bill. A familiar name from TV — and the Trump family — could jump in.
Opinion | Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth targeted a Fox reporter. The journalism community had her back
In defending Jennifer Griffin, journalists signal that truth-telling still matters — no matter the network.
PBS Curriculum
Poynter’s MediaWise and PBS launch AI literacy video series for teens
The new series called AI Unlocked includes five lessons to help students better understand the world of generative artificial intelligence
Trick or truth: Are drug dealers really targeting kids on Halloween?
For teachers: This MediaWise Teen Fact-Checking Network video has an accompanying lesson plan free for any…
Reporting & Editing
Meet The Examination, a nonprofit watchdog for global health
Ben Hallman and his team of almost 20 are taking on four of the biggest global industries, one health investigation at a time
Virginia prison cites unwritten policy when declining press comment
First Amendment attorney says the public has 'an interest and perhaps an obligation to understand what's going on in jails and prisons'
CBS News owner Paramount settles Trump’s lawsuit over ‘60 Minutes’ interview for $16 million
The money will go toward Trump’s future presidential library and follows a similar multimillion dollar settlement ABC News agreed to in December
The hurricane forecast cone is changing, and journalists are part of the overhaul
The National Hurricane Center is urging journalists to focus less on storm hype and more on the overlooked dangers that actually kill people
Tech & Tools
‘Self-regulation has proven a failure’: Brazilian leaders defend the need for social media regulation
GlobalFact speakers urge social platforms to fight disinformation: ‘Freedom of expression but freedom of expression with responsibility’
‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ could block AI regulations for 10 years, leaving its harms unchecked
A Trump-backed provision in Congress’s sweeping bill would block states from regulating AI for a decade unless they give up broadband funds
AI is giving local news a second chance. Will it be ready this time?
Journalism professor Tom Rosenstiel urges newsrooms to avoid the mistakes of the internet era and build smarter, more useful AI tools
Opinion | In the age of AI, human emotion is journalism’s superpower
Emotional connection isn’t just good storytelling. It’s journalism’s best defense in the AI era.
TFCN
Watch out for claims about ‘crisis actors’ in Gaza
This photo posted on Facebook in early November got a lot of attention. It shows…
Would young people really choose TikTok over their right to vote?
GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, a political outsider who has taken many by surprise with…
Is This Legit: A media literacy skills recap
Have you ever encountered something suspicious online and wondered: “Is this legit?” Welcome to our…
Echo chambers: how they’re created and how to avoid them
Recently, I tried a little experiment on social media. I set up two fake Twitter…