CBS News announced Froiday. that its Sunday public affairs program, Face the Nation, will now only broadcast live or live-to-tape interviews, following complaints from U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The policy change was prompted by backlash over an edited interview with Noem aired on August 31, 2025, where she discussed Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man facing deportation. DHS claimed CBS selectively edited the interview, removing over 23% of Noem’s responses, including details about Garcia’s alleged crimes, to “whitewash the truth” about his threat to public safety.
CBS initially defended the edits, stating they were made for time constraints and met network standards, with the full interview and transcript available online.
However, in response to audience feedback and pressure from the Trump administration, CBS implemented the new policy to ensure greater transparency, stating that the television audience will see unedited interviews, except in cases of national security or legal restrictions.
Full transcripts and unedited videos will continue to be posted online. The decision has raised concerns about limiting the ability of moderator Margaret Brennan to challenge false statements during interviews, potentially impacting the show’s credibility and viewership compared to rivals like NBC’s Meet the Press or ABC’s This Week.
On the Friday episode of Fox News’ The Five, a fiery exchange unfolded between co-hosts Jessica Tarlov and Jesse Watters, centered on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s controversial Covid-19 vaccine policies. The heated moment, emblematic of the show’s often contentious roundtable debates, saw Tarlov sharply criticize Watters for questioning whether individuals were truly being denied vaccines, culminating in her pointed accusation, “Why don’t you ever prepare?!”
The altercation began when Tarlov referenced several Republican senators—Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Barrasso (R-WY), John Kennedy (R-LA), and Thom Tillis (R-NC)—who had supported Kennedy’s confirmation as Health Secretary but were now voicing concerns over his vaccine policies.
“These senators, all Republicans who voted to confirm [Kennedy], are saying we are denying people vaccines,” Tarlov stated, emphasizing the growing backlash against Kennedy’s approach.
Watters, known for his provocative style, challenged Tarlov’s claim, asking, “What vaccines has he denied someone?” His question appeared to question the validity or extent of the reported restrictions. In response, Tarlov pointed to a specific case involving the wife of conservative radio host Erick Erickson, who, she claimed, was recently denied a Covid-19 vaccine due to Kennedy’s policies.
Tarlov’s frustration boiled over as she delivered her sharp rebuke: “Why don’t you ever prepare?!” The jab suggested Watters was ill-informed or dismissive of readily available evidence, escalating the tension on the panel.
The policies at the heart of the dispute stem from a late August 2025 announcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which authorized updated Covid-19 vaccines for the fall season. However, these vaccines came with stricter eligibility criteria, marking the most restrictive federal vaccine policy since the shots were first rolled out in 2020. Tarlov mentioned, argue that these restrictions have left vulnerable individuals—like Erickson’s wife, who reportedly has health issues—unable to access boosters or updated shots.
Also on the Friday show things got VERY heated as Kayleigh McEnany hits back at Jessica Tarlov after she has the nerve to claim Kayleigh is “fresh” and unprepared.
🔥 Fox News gets VERY heated as Kayleigh McEnany hits back at Jessica Tarlov after she has the nerve to claim Kayleigh is “fresh” and unprepared:
The exchange reflects broader tensions on The Five, where Tarlov, the panel’s primary liberal voice, frequently clashes with conservative co-hosts like Watters, Greg Gutfeld, and Dana Perino. Tarlov’s role often involves defending progressive viewpoints against a predominantly conservative lineup, which can lead to heated moments, especially on polarizing topics like public health policy. Watters, known for his combative and sometimes playful demeanor, often pushes back with skepticism or counterpoints.
Reuters News withdrew a four-minute video featuring a candid conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, captured during a military parade in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The exchange, picked up by a live microphone, centered on organ transplants and the potential for humans to live to 150 years old. The footage, originally licensed from China Central Television (CCTV), was edited by Reuters and distributed to over 1,000 global media clients, including major international news broadcasters.
In the video, Putin, through his interpreter, remarked on biotechnology advancements, suggesting that continuous organ transplants could lead to people becoming "younger as they grow older" and potentially achieving immortality.
Xi responded by noting predictions that humans might live to 150 years old within this century. The conversation took place as they walked alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un toward Tiananmen Square.
CCTV's legal team sent a written request to Reuters, demanding the video's removal and withdrawing legal permission for its use, claiming Reuters exceeded the terms of their licensing agreement and criticizing the "editorial treatment" of the material without providing specific details.
Reuters promptly removed the video from its website, issued a "kill" order to its clients to stop further distribution, and stated that it withdrew the content due to the loss of legal permission to publish the copyrighted material.
Other news agencies that licensed the footage from CCTV also distributed their own edits of the exchange.
Neither CCTV, its global arm China Global Television Network, nor the Chinese embassy in Washington immediately responded to requests for comment. The video had already been widely shared on social media and by global broadcasters before its withdrawal, sparking significant interest due to the unusually open nature of the leaders’ discussion on longevity and biotechnology.
John Malone, a billionaire media mogul and major shareholder in Warner Bros. Discovery (CNN’s parent company), has been vocal about his criticisms of CNN and the broader news media landscape. In a September 2025 interview with CNN’s Pamela Brown, Malone discussed the evolution of the news business and his concerns about its direction.
Malone has consistently criticized CNN for what he perceives as an embedded left-leaning bias, which he believes hampers its ability to compete with networks like Fox News and MSNBC. In a separate interview with CNN contributor Kara Swisher, he described CNN as “too political,” arguing that its focus on political coverage over hard journalism has contributed to declining ratings.
He contrasted CNN with Fox News, noting that Fox openly acknowledges its bias, with personalities like Sean Hannity and Greg Gutfeld blending entertainment with news, while CNN holds itself to a journalistic standard it struggles to meet.
Malone’s critique dates back to at least 2021, during the Warner Bros. and Discovery merger, when he told The New York Times that CNN lacked focus on journalism and was a poor competitor to Fox News. He reiterated in 2025 that CNN’s staff, while well-intentioned, operate with an unconscious liberal bias, likening it to latent racism among some white people—a comparison that drew attention for its provocative framing.
Connoisseur Media recently named Keith Dakin as its Senior Vice President of Programming, following the company's acquisition of Alpha Media.
Dakin, who has been with Connoisseur since 2013, will oversee programming across the company's expanded portfolio of over 200 stations in 47 markets, as well as its digital platforms nationwide.
Previously, he served as Vice President of Programming since 2019, after rising from Connecticut Regional Operations Manager, and has a background that includes programming WFNX-FM in Boston.
In his new role, Dakin will report directly to CEO Jeff Warshaw and lead programming teams to deliver locally relevant content across various formats. Warshaw praised Dakin’s expertise and leadership, noting his passion for music, content, and community engagement as key to Connoisseur’s continued success.
Dakin expressed excitement about working with the company’s programmers and talent, aiming to create impactful radio content.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon Friday dismissed an antitrust lawsuit filed by Newsmax against Fox News and Fox Corporation, labeling it a "shotgun pleading" due to its disorganized structure.
The lawsuit, filed on September 3, 2025, accused Fox News of engaging in anticompetitive practices to maintain dominance in the right-leaning pay-TV news market, such as coercing distributors to limit or exclude competitors like Newsmax and imposing financial penalties through carriage agreements.
When the lawsuit was filed Fox News issued this statement “Newsmax cannot sue their way out of their own competitive failures in the marketplace to chase headlines simply because they can’t attract viewers.”
Cannon, a Trump appointee, found that the complaint’s counts were repetitive, with each successive count incorporating all prior allegations, violating federal pleading standards. She dismissed the case without prejudice, giving Newsmax until September 11, 2025, to refile an amended complaint with clearer, specific allegations.
Newsmax stated it viewed the dismissal as a technical issue and planned to refile, while Fox News had previously argued that Newsmax’s claims were an attempt to compensate for its competitive failures.
ESPN networks scored a historic start to the fall sports season, delivering the second most-watched Labor Day Weekend in at least 30 years (records date back to 1995) and ESPN’s most-watched Labor Day Weekend since 2016. From Saturday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sept. 1, fans consumed 16.8 billion minutes across ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, up 25 percent year-over-year.
The stacked holiday slate featured standout performances across multiple properties, with several reaching all-time or multi-year highs based on average minute audience, including:
College Football: ESPN networks posted their most-watched Kickoff Weekend on record, averaging 4.1 million viewers across 15 games, up 31 percent year-over-year. For the first time ever in a regular season weekend, three games on ABC surpassed 10 million viewers. More details.
College GameDay: The premier college football pregame show delivered its most-watched episode ever, averaging 4.0 million viewers as fans tuned in for Lee Corso’s final show: More details.
US Open Tennis: ESPN’s coverage continued to surge, with ABC’s Round of 16 averaging 2.2 million viewers, the most-watched Round of 16 telecast since 2015. The Third Round was up 15 percent year-over-year and drawing its best audience since 2022.
College Volleyball: ESPN Events’ inaugural Broadway Block Party set a milestone with ESPN networks’ most-watched regular season college volleyball match ever, as Nebraska vs. Kentucky averaged 1.2 million viewers on ABC.
Sunday Night Baseball: The Braves/Phillies matchup drew 1.9 million viewers, up 28 percent against last season’s Sunday Night Baseball average.
SportsCenter: SportsCenter was up 8 percent from 2024, across 11 live episodes. Saturday morning’s show – which features live interviews with on-air ESPN personalities at the biggest college football games in the country – averaged 942,000 viewers, while SportsCenter with SVP on Monday night following TCU-UNC registered 1.2 million viewers.
F1: Sunday’s Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix averaged 1.2 million viewers, the largest audience ever for the event. Viewership peaked at 1.3 million between 10:30-10:45 a.m. ET as Oscar Piastri drove to victory.
➦In 1902...radio newsman Morgan Beatty was born in Little Rock Arkansas. He achieved fame as a correspondent for the National Broadcasting Company radio network for 25 years. He began his career as a newspaper reporter and worked for The Associated Press before and after his years with N.B.C.
For many years in the 1940′s & 50′s in particular, he was a senior news broadcaster for NBC Radio based in New York. “This is Morgan Beatty speaking for Alka Seltzer bringing you news of the world! and the news tonight is…”
When TV arrived he became news anchor for the short-lived Dumont Network. A great radio presence with natural gravitas in his voice, he died July 4 1975 at age 72.
➦In 1920...WWJ Detroit is believed to be the first to broadcast news reports regularly dating back to August 31, 1920, the Detroit News announced on its front page that, starting that evening, nightly (except Sunday) broadcasts would be transmitted by the "Detroit News Radiophone" service. WWJ was the first to present regularly scheduled religious broadcasts and sports reports, including early fight results from the heavyweight championship bout between Jack Dempsey and Billy Miske on September 6, 1920.
➦In 1942...The radio comedy the Mayor of the Town made its debut. It starred Lionel Barrymore and aired until July 3, 1949 on ABC, CBS, Mutual and NBC at various times.
➦In 1954...1010 WINS NYC begins playing rock n roll with Alan Freed Show
➦In 1959...the hit radio sitcom “Fibber McGee and Molly” ended after almost 25 years. The situation comedy, a staple of the NBC Red Network for the show's entire run and one of the most popular and enduring radio series of its time. The show ran as a stand-alone series from 1935 to 1956, and then continued as a short-form series as part of the weekend Monitor from 1957 to 1959. The title characters were created and portrayed by Jim and Marian Jordan, a real-life husband and wife team that had been working in radio since the 1920s.
➦In 1965...Chuck Leonard started at WABC 770 AM. From 1968...
Chuck Leonard
His deep voice and smoothness resonated across 38 states for 14 years at ABC. During his over 40-year career in broadcasting, Leonard worked virtually every shift and played all styles of music at stations including WWRL, WABC, WXLO, WRKS, WBLS, WQEW, WNSW-AM and WJUX. He has been inducted in the Museum of Television & Radio and is known as the first African-American disc jockey to work on a mainstream radio station.
On WABC, Leonard began in the 11 p.m. to midnight slot, and continued working late nights and Sundays at the station until November 27, 1979. He did the 10:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. shift following “Cousin” Bruce Morrow and later George Michael. He also gladly handled weekend and fill-in work.
Leonard was the host of "Sneak Preview," a five-minute Monday-through-Saturday evening program on ABC's American Contemporary Radio Network, which featured newly released songs. He stayed at WABC until 1979, before moving to WXLO and WRKS.
Leonard died on August 12, 2004, in Manhattan, following lung cancer. He was 67.
➦In 1987...Pat St. John left WPLJ NYC, and returned to his rock roots on WNEW 102.7 FM, which had been WPLJ's rival during its AOR years. He became the station's program director in the early 1990s while continuing his mid-day show until moving to morning-drive from 1994 through 1996. and then moved to afternoons. St. John remained with the station until it switched to a hot talk format in 1998. From 1984...
Mark Volman, a founding member of the 1960s rock band The Turtles and known as "Flo" of the duo Flo & Eddie, passed away Friday in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 78.
His death was attributed to a brief, unexpected illness, as confirmed by his representative in a statement to PEOPLE. Volman had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2020, which he publicly revealed in 2023, though it’s unclear if this directly contributed to his passing.
Despite his diagnosis, he continued performing on the "Happy Together" tour, named after The Turtles’ 1967 chart-topping hit, until 2024, sharing vocals with Ron Dante after his longtime bandmate Howard Kaylan retired in 2018 due to health issues.
Volman, born April 19, 1947, in Los Angeles, co-founded The Turtles with Kaylan, contributing to hits like “Happy Together,” “Elenore,” and “It Ain’t Me Babe.” After the band’s breakup in 1970, he and Kaylan formed Flo & Eddie, touring with Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention and providing backing vocals for artists like T. Rex and Bruce Springsteen.
Volman also worked on music for children’s shows like Strawberry Shortcake and later became a college professor, teaching music business at Belmont University in Nashville after earning a bachelor’s degree and an MFA from Loyola Marymount University.
His memoir, Happy Forever: My Musical Adventures With The Turtles, Frank Zappa, T. Rex, Flo & Eddie, and More, was published in 2023, detailing his career and experiences
At the Paley Media Council event on the next era of media in Manhattan Thursday, Media Mogul Malone expressed regret over the $43 billion WarnerMedia-Discovery merger, which he helped orchestrate in 2022. As a major Discovery shareholder, he backed the deal that formed Warner Bros. Discovery under CEO David Zaslav. However, Malone noted that Discovery did not have a complete financial picture of WarnerMedia before closing, which complicated the merger’s execution.
He highlighted the challenges both companies faced with the rise of streaming services like Netflix, stating, “We knew Discovery had limited life expectancy as a linear service.” Despite the heavy debt load post-merger (with $18 billion paid down by 2024), Malone remains optimistic about Warner Bros. Discovery’s global growth potential, leveraging its extensive content library.
Malone’s influence extends beyond deals. He has expressed concerns about Big Tech’s dominance, describing companies like Amazon, Google, and Apple as “almost monopolies” due to their financial power and ability to outbid traditional media for sports rights, threatening local broadcast television. He has criticized the lack of collaboration among cable and entertainment leaders in countering streaming challenges from Netflix.
Malone also reflected on the societal impact of his contributions, questioning whether the world is better off after the media fragmentation he helped enable, though he attributes much of the current polarization to political leadership rather than the media industry alone.
In his memoir released this week, Malone candidly discusses building his empire while living with autism, emphasizing the importance of relationships over deals. He regrets not spending more time with his children and the TCI sale to AT&T, which he later viewed as a misstep.
A private individual who avoids the spotlight, Malone prefers strategic advising over public appearances, famously stating he’d “pay a lot of money to avoid a cocktail party.”
Malone is currentyly chairman of Liberty Media, Liberty Global, Liberty Broadband, and GCI Liberty, and chair emeritus of Warner Bros. Discovery, having stepped down from its board in June 2025.
His strategic maneuvers, like the proposed Charter-Cox merger, continue to shape the industry. Malone’s legacy is one of vision, unconventional leadership, and a knack for anticipating industry shifts, making him a towering figure in media and telecommunications.
John Malone, a billionaire media mogul and significant shareholder in Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN, sharply criticized the cable news network for its political bias, asserting that its overly political stance has severely undermined its viewership and competitive standing.
The remarks came during a Thursday interview on the podcast hosted by Kara Swisher, a CNN contributor, where Malone elaborated on his long-standing concerns about the network’s direction.
The discussion revisited Malone’s earlier comments from 2021, made during the merger of Warner Bros. and Discovery, when he told The New York Times that CNN was failing to prioritize journalistic integrity. At the time, he argued that the network’s focus had shifted away from objective reporting, positioning it as a weak competitor to Fox News. In the recent podcast, Malone’s critique intensified, as he labeled CNN “too political” to effectively rival Fox News and MSNBC in the cable news landscape.
When Swisher challenged Malone by pointing out that Fox News is equally, if not more, politically driven, Malone acknowledged the point but drew a distinction. “Yeah, but they don’t hold themselves to be all journalism,” he responded. He noted that Fox News personalities, such as Sean Hannity, openly embrace their biases, with Hannity himself admitting to his conservative slant.
On Kara Swisher's podcast, major Warner Bros. Discovery shareholder John Malone says CNN's journalists have inherent left-leaning biases, just like many white people have inherent racial biases:
"These are good people. These are people who believe they're not biased, they really… pic.twitter.com/MrVjdfWB6I
Malone also highlighted other Fox figures, describing them as “quasi-celebrities” who occupy specific time slots and cater to partisan audiences. He specifically referenced Greg Gutfeld, a comedian and host whose overtly right-wing commentary has attracted a significant following, as an example of Fox’s ability to leverage polarizing personalities for ratings success.
Malone’s critique suggests a broader concern about CNN’s struggle to define its identity in a polarized media environment. While Fox News and MSNBC have leaned into their respective ideological niches, Malone appears to believe CNN’s attempt to maintain a veneer of impartial journalism while still engaging in political commentary creates a disconnect with viewers.
This, he argues, has contributed to CNN’s declining ratings, as it fails to capture the loyalty of audiences who gravitate toward the clearer ideological stances of its competitors.
The comments reflect Malone’s ongoing influence as a key stakeholder in Warner Bros. Discovery and his willingness to publicly challenge CNN’s editorial direction. His remarks also underscore the broader challenges facing traditional cable news networks as they navigate a fragmented media landscape, where audience loyalty is increasingly driven by ideological alignment and personality-driven content rather than traditional journalistic standards.
