Poynter is reporting that President Donald Trump recently attacked NBC News correspondent Kristen Welker on Truth Social, threatening to report her to the Federal Communications Commission for "purposeful inaccuracy." Welker had accurately noted Trump's mixed results with endorsed candidates and his looming presence over upcoming midterm elections. Anna Gomez, the lone Democratic FCC commissioner, stated the FCC lacks authority to punish journalists disliked by an administration, calling such threats dangerous to press freedom. Poynter noted that former CNN journalist Don Lemon suggested the process of such threats serves as punishment, creating chaos and headaches for news outlets, and potentially undermining press credibility or intimidating them into self-censorship. The Washington Post's Amber Phillips also wrote that these actions serve as a distraction from Trump's struggling poll numbers.
Poynter also reported on the Treasury Department's denial of credentials to several journalists covering a G20 finance meeting in Asheville, North Carolina. Reporters from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg News were among those barred, though another Times reporter was granted access. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told The Associated Press the denials were not related to point of view. Bloomberg stated that denying access to some journalists undermines media freedom and public accountability. The New York Times condemned the exclusions as a disservice to the public and an assault on press freedoms, while The National Press Club called for an end to government officials handpicking the press corps.
In other media news, Poynter highlighted a controversy involving The Washington Post. After the Post published a story detailing military leaders' warnings to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about prolonging the Iran war, Post columnist Marc A. Thiessen called for the prosecution of the source who leaked the classified information. This prompted responses from other Post journalists, including Benjamin Mullin of The New York Times, who noted the unusual nature of a columnist calling for the prosecution of their own newspaper's sources. The Pentagon accused the Post of committing a crime, but Post spokesperson Olivia Peterson affirmed confidence in their reporting and constitutional protections.
Poynter also noted the upcoming movie "Primetime," based on the NBC show "To Catch a Predator." Chris Hansen, the original host, is not involved in the film and walked out of a preview after refusing to sign a nondisclosure agreement. Hansen's company has purchased pre-show advertising for his current sting operations on his streaming platform, TruBlu, to run in theaters showing "Primetime."
Finally, Poynter reported on a heated exchange during a New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox game. Red Sox radio announcers Will Flemming and Will Middlebrooks criticized Yankees player Jazz Chisholm Jr. for stealing bases with a large lead. Flemming suggested intentionally hitting a Yankees player and later called for a Red Sox pitcher to fight Chisholm. Flemming later apologized on X, stating his comments crossed a line and that his emotions as a fan bled into the broadcast.