David Folkenflik

@davidfolkenflik.bsky.social

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NPR media guy Author, Murdoch’s World

Due to a misunderstanding, NPR’s Supreme Court and Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg incorrectly reported that Justice Samuel Alito had retired. Neither Justice Alito nor the Supreme Court Public Information Office has announced his retirement. As soon as the error was realized, the story was retracted and removed from NPR’s website and an on-air correction was broadcast. We regret the error and any confusion this may have caused. This afternoon, Mrs. Totenberg will appear on All Things Considered to explain what happened. She has reached out to Justice Alito to apologize.
TO All our colleagues at 60 FROM Lesley, Bill and Jon We have had a hard time deciding whether to stay at 60 Minutes. We’re still deeply upset by the firings of Tanya and Draggan, strong leaders who everyone respected. As far as we can tell – because no explanation has ever been offered, they were expelled because they fought for our 60 Minutes values and stood up to protect our independence and integrity. Newsrooms are not supposed to be run like dictatorships. Collaboration and argument are the way we have always worked at 60. Don Hewitt actually encouraged loud passionate advocacy for our pieces. This goes for Sharyn, Cecilia and Scott as well, all at the top of the world of TV journalism who exemplified 60 Minutes’ ethos of tough questions and honest storytelling. And Guy Campanile, an outstanding 60 Minutes producer whose advice on our stories was invaluable. And Matt Polevoy, who ran our online operations, moved us onto YouTube, was working on developing 60 Minutes Podcasts and many other projects expanding our presence on the Web: vital and necessary for our future. We want to express how sorry we are that these principled, fair and honest journalists were treated so shabbily, with such indecency. Tanya deserves to be celebrated, not cruelly cast off. Draggan too. It’s been heartbreaking. But, we have decided to stay on. We feared that our returning might be construed as an endorsement of the existing power structure. That is simply, categorically not the case. Here’s why we’re are staying: We don’t want to see 60 Minutes die. We have been grieving because this whole mess has wounded and damaged the broadcast. We want to stay and fight, try to repair and preserve our reputation by continuing the Mike Wallace tradition of hold their feet to the fire as well as Morley’s brand of quirky off-kilter reports like his on why people in Finland like to tango!
The network is offering buyouts to approximately 300 employees, mostly within newsgathering desks in the newsroom. Staff of NPR's news programs, including hosts, are not eligible. The actual number of departing journalists will be far smaller, NPR officials say. They say they will accept up to 30 buyouts but more targeted layoffs would ensue if an insufficient number of employees do not take voluntary buyouts by next Tuesday, May 26.
The Boston Globe Names Brian McGrory as Editor Veteran newsroom leader returns to lead the Globe beginning January 5, 2026 BOSTON, Dec. 15, 2025 — The Boston Globe announced today that Brian McGrory will rejoin the organization as editor, effective January 5, 2026. McGrory brings a distinguished record of leadership, innovation, and journalistic excellence from his prior tenure at the Globe, along with expanded experience from academia and the nonprofit news sector. He shares a deep and lasting commitment to The Boston Globe and to the communities it serves.
Some local NPR station officials say their applications have been received and processed promptly. Many, however, argue that they will need more help from the network. A tracker set up by a public radio consultant has identified 332 layoffs in public media since July 18, when the Republican-led Congress, at President Trump's urging, defunded public media.
PBS's chief executive told public television officials Thursday that it was cutting about 15% of its jobs due to the move by Republicans in Congress to eliminate all federal funding for public broadcasting starting on Oct. 1.
Kari Lake says in sworn court filing she is Acting CEO of US Agency for Global Media.
Sch. Dist., 936 F. Supp. 719, 738 (C.D. Cal. 1996) (citation omitted). V. CONCLUSION T Application against Defendants as follows: 1. includes any duly authorized representative of any news service, online news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network. 2. If LAPD or another law enforcement agency establishes a police line or rolling closure at a demonstration, march, protest, or rally where individuals are engaged in activity that is 12 Case 2:25-cv-05423-HDV-E Document 44 Filed 07/10/25 Page 13 of 14 Page ID #:1557 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 3. protected pursuant to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, LAPD is enjoined from: a. b. c. Prohibiting a journalist from entering or remaining in the closed areas. Intentionally assaulting, interfering with, or obstructing any journalist who is gathering, receiving, or processing information for communication to the public (including by restricting journalists to areas from which they do not have sufficient opportunity to observe and report on protests, including the interaction between police and protestors). Citing, detaining, or arresting a journalist who is in a closed area for failure to disperse, curfew violation, or obstruction of a law enforcement officer for gathering, receiving, or processing information. If LAPD detains or arrest a person who claims to be a journalist, that person shall be permitted to promptly contact a supervisory officer of the rank of captain or above for purposes of challenging that detention, unless circumstances make it impossible to do so. LAPD is further enjoined from using less- s ), chemical irritants, and flash-bangs) against journalists who are not posing a threat of imminent harm to an officer or another person.
SPOKESMAN FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP’S LEGAL TEAM: “With this record settlement, President Donald J. Trump delivers another win for the American people as he, once again, holds the Fake News media accountable for their wrongdoing and deceit. CBS and Paramount Global realized the strength of this historic case and had no choice but to settle. President Trump will always ensure that no one gets away with lying to the American People as he continues on his singular mission to Make America Great Again.”
Full text of deleted Terry Moran tweet.
Text of Terry Moran tweet about Trump and Stephen Miller
June 3, 2025 The Honorable Senator James Risch Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Relations United States Senate Dear Senator Risch: In compliance with the Executive Order (EO) on “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy” (March 14, 2025), President Trump directed that “the non-statutory components and functions of [the United States Agency for Global Media] shall be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” The President further directed that USAGM shall reduce the performance if its “statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law.” A plan was developed by senior career USAGM leadership who assessed what the statutory minimum is and signed-off on it; career agency staff like General Counsel Royce Min with over 20-years-experience as a federal government attorney; acting-CEO Victor Morales, a 36-year veteran at Voice of America; Chief Financial Officer Roman Napoli, with over 20-years- experience at USAID and Department of State; also the Directors of Human Resources; Office of Management; and Office of Technology Services and Innovation, all signed-off on the USAGM Statutory Minimum Memorandum. (Please see enclosed.) While we anticipate being above the originally proposed statutory minimum staffing numbers, the plan to effectuate the President’s Executive Order is still developing. As we work to adhere to the EO, please consider this the required Congressional Notification to satisfy notice for the potential reorganization, consolidations, and/or program terminations. For questions related to this Congressional Notification, please contact me. Sincerely, Kari Lake Senior Advisor to the Chief Operating Officer
“The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is creating media to support a particular political party on the taxpayers’ dime. Therefore, the President is exercising his lawful authority to limit funding to NPR and PBS. The President was elected with a mandate to ensure efficient use of taxpayer dollars, and he will continue to use his lawful authority to achieve that objective.” – White House spokesperson Harrison Fields
OAN has distinguished itself by its resolute support of President Trump — even as he insisted falsely that he had been cheated of re-election in 2020. OAN reached settlements to resolve separate defamation lawsuits filed by the voting software company Smartmatic, a former executive at Dominion Voting Systems, and two Georgia election workers over disproven claims that they had helped rig the 2020 presidential elections for Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Shows that “save VOA now” account has been suspended ok Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter)
A snapshot of Wikipedia info on the French artist and illustrator Fafi, aged 49
The court document refers to statements by two former detectives involved in the investigation started by London’s Metropolitan police in 2011 into phone hacking by NGN. The statements relate to the background to the deletion of millions of internal NGN emails. One officer, Sue Akers, a former deputy assistant commissioner in the force, said it appeared that NGN sought to “actively frustrate the police inquiry and undermine our ability to carry out a thorough investigation”, it is claimed. According to the high court document, she further claimed that if she had been aware of certain internal discussions at NGN, she would have “launched an investigation into the matter terminating all contact with [NGN’s general manager] Will Lewis, who would have been a suspect in respect of the deletions”.
Dear Colleagues, I’m heartbroken. If you’re receiving this letter, I’m letting you go — effective immediately. I’ve made this difficult decision after yet another week without funds from USAGM. I see now twists and turns in our legal process going forward but, unfortunately, no sign that the disbursement owed to MBN will arrive anytime soon. As you know, Congress approved our funding in March. That funding was abruptly, irresponsibly, and unlawfully cut off by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency and by Kari Lake, special adviser to the agency that oversees us. As Ms. Lake steadfastly declines to speak with us, I’m left to conclude that she is deliberately starving us of the money we need to pay you, our dedicated and hard-working staff. You’ve done everything right. You’ve been passionate about the MBN mission. You’ve been creative, curious, open to growth and devoted to craft. You’ve risked and you’ve sacrificed. You have been loyal to this company in the toughest of times — and you’re fully deserving of American taxpayer support. Those of you who live in the United States are taxpayers. What’s happening is a disgrace. You deserve better and I bear responsibility for not resolving this crisis in time to keep you. For a year now, you’ve shown me nothing but warmth and kindness, character and poise. I’m in awe of your talent. With a sharply reduced staff of a couple dozen, we’ll keep a digital flame burning. We need time to further push Congress and American courts to do their job. It makes no sense to silence America’s voice in the Middle East. Congressionally-approved funding for MBN and its vital mission must be released. Be in touch with me anytime. Count on me for support. With utmost respect, Jeff
For Release: April 12, 2025 Fighting to Survive, US-Funded MBN Cuts Staff Drastically Starved of funds by US Agency for Global Media, network scales back operations — and vows to continue (Springfield, Va.)--Dr. Jeffrey Gedmin, president and CEO of Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. (MBN), announced today that the US-sponsored Arabic-language media organization has been forced to reduce staff drastically, cutting back its Alhurra television output and digital work. MBN will continue to operate with a sharply reduced number of employees. “We have been left no choice but to make these cuts,” Gedmin said. “Congress approved our funding on March 14th. That funding was abruptly and unlawfully cut off the next day by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency and by Kari Lake, special adviser to the agency that oversees us.” Gedmin continued: “As Ms. Lake declines to meet or speak with us, we’re left to conclude that she intends to starve us of the money we need to pay our hard-working staff. We depend on Congress and courts to rescue MBN’s future.” MBN was established in 2003. The company’s reporting and programs reach more than 30 million people each week across 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. “MBN is a treasure trove of talent and experience and a national security asset,” said interim board chair and former Ambassador Ryan Crocker. “The path we’ve been forced onto is senseless.” “Media in the Middle East thrive on a diet of anti-Americanism,” Gedmin said. “It makes no sense to kill MBN as a sensible alternative and to open the field to American adversaries and Islamic extremists.
REPORTABLE: NPR’s Tom Bowman has learned that a Pentagon-wide email went out one week ago warning about the vulnerability of using the messaging app Signal. "A vulnerability has been identified in the Signal messenger application," the email begins. The app is the same one used by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other leading national security officials within the administration to discuss bombing Houthi sites in Yemen – journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently added to the group and privy to the highly sensitive discussions.
Kari Lake tweets: Like most Americans, I support the work President Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency are doing 100% None of President Trump’s hires are coming to Washington DC to become permanent creatures of the swamp. They are here to do a job: root-out fraud, waste, and abuse and reduce the size & scope of the federal government. I plan stay only as much time as needed here in the swamp to help President Trump accomplish those goals.
Former USAGM CFO Grant Turner says she's got it backwards. According to the USAGM's announcement last September, the lease, thanks to a slow real estate market caused by the pandemic, stands to save the federal government $150 million over 15 years. "That's a bunch of lies and misinformation coming out of her mouth," said Turner, who left the agency in January. "In fact, it's probably one of the best deals struck by a tenant in D.C. history." Four USAGM and Voice of America staffers backed up Turner's account on condition of anonymity, citing fears of retribution in the current climate. For one thing, they note, the new building is not new. It's nearly two decades old — built in 2006, according to the general contractor on the project. For another, the old building wasn't "paid off" — the agency doesn't own it. The agency got three years in free rent at the new headquarters, and was drawing staffers out of the old Wilbur J. Cohen building, they said, thus sizeably reducing its footprint and rent paid to the federal government. And the new building's landlord gave $27 million toward the construction of state-of-the-art studios. That would have been necessary in the technologically archaic Cohen building — absent the existential question now hovering over the networks.
I moved today to cancel expensive and unnecessary newswire contracts for US Agency for Global Media, including tens-of-millions of dollars in contracts with The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse. USAGM is an American taxpayer funded News Organization with an 83-year history. We should not be paying outside news companies to tell us what the news is—with nearly a billion-dollar budget, we should be producing news ourselves. And if that's not possible, the American taxpayer should demand to know why. This saves the American Taxpayers ~$53-million dollars
“RFA emits the only transparent reporting from most countries in Southeast Asia, where the CCPs disinformation campaigns are the strongest. When I released my report on the origins of Covid and the CCP’s culpability, RFA played a critical role in translating it into Mandarin, penetrating the CCP’s firewall, and disseminating it throughout mainland China. That’s why I strongly support programs like RFA, which provide day-to-day updates on far-off regions, uphold a free press even in authoritarian countries, and ensure Americans—and people everywhere—are not subject to our adversaries’ propaganda.” –HFAC Chairman Emeritus McCaul
Subject: A Message from Kari Lake I am delighted to be joining the United States Agency for Global Media as the Senior Advisor for the Administration, and I’m honored President Trump has chosen me to serve in this role overseeing the agency, its outlets, and grantees. We have an important mission: “inform, engage, and connect people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.” It doesn’t get much bigger than that. As President John F. Kennedy said on the 20th anniversary of Voice of America—our task is “to tell America’s story around the world” and to do so in a way that is truthful. That remains our job today. Some of you may know, I had a 30-year career as a professional broadcast journalist covering Arizona, America, and beyond. I am married to an incredible photojournalist and videographer. So, I understand the challenges faced by those who cover news both in front of and behind the camera, and I have immense respect for the men and women who do the job with honesty and integrity. Sadly, journalism is experiencing dark days right now. The public has lost almost all trust in the media. For those reading this—it is critical we recognize our agency is funded by hardworking American taxpayers, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet. That means we have an added responsibility to restore their trust while working efficiently and honestly to cover this consequential moment in our nation’s history. In my new role at USAGM I am committed to quickly reforming and modernizing the agency into something the American people are willing to support. I look forward to working with you. Kari Lake
“This move tears at the independence of a free press in the United States. It suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president. In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps. “For generations, the working journalists elected to lead the White House Correspondents’ Association board have consistently expanded the WHCA’s membership and its pool rotations to facilitate the inclusion of new and emerging outlets. “Since its founding in 1914, the WHCA has sought to ensure that the reporters, photographers, producers and technicians who actually do the work – 365 days of every year – decide amongst themselves how these rotations are operated, so as to ensure consistent professional standards and fairness in access on behalf of all readers, viewers and listeners. “To be clear, the White House did not give the WHCA board a heads up or have any discussions about today’s announcements. But the WHCA will never stop advocating for comprehensive access, full transparency and the right of the American public to read, listen to and watch reports from the White House, delivered without fear or favor.” – Eugene Daniels, White House Correspondents’ Association president
“The AP’s frivolous and demented lawsuit is nothing more than a blatant PR stunt masquerading as a first amendment case. They are clearly suffering from a severe, debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has rotted their peanut-sized brains. We will defeat them in court just like we crushed their leftist reporters at the ballot box.” - White House spokesperson Steven Cheung
"My advice to CNN would be to cough it up. Settle," says Charles Glasser, former global media counsel for Bloomberg News. "Admit you're wrong. Admit your hyperbole was out of line, and move on."
REPORTABLE: Syrian opposition forces say they have taken the capital Damascus and that President Bashar Al-Assad has fled the country. Assad’s prime minister has issued a video statement that he is ready for the process of handing over power. Reuters and AP are reporting large crowds on the main square of Damascus celebrating. Rebel leaders are expected to make an announcement in the coming hours about the fall of the regime that has ruled Syria with an iron fist for more than 50 years. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor told AP that Assad had left the country for an undisclosed location. The announcement came less than two weeks after rebels launched a series of lightning offensives that first took the northern city of Aleppo, and then the rebels worked their way south toward the regime centers of power, as uprisings broke out in large swaths of the country.
USA Today’s coverage of the Fox to Trump WH 2.0 is tagged “health and wellness.”