Poynter is reporting the Supreme Court made two significant decisions impacting journalists and press freedom. The court halted an order that would have compelled former Fox News reporter Catherine Herridge to reveal a source or face $800 daily sanctions. The Washington Post is reporting Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. paused a lower court's ruling to consider Herridge's emergency request. It said Herridge sought review of D.C. Circuit Court sanctions after refusing to identify an anonymous source in a case where Chinese American scientist Yanping Chen alleged Herridge breached federal privacy law. Herridge declined to explain how she learned of a federal probe into Chen.
Separately, the court declined to hear lawyer Alan Dershowitz's defamation lawsuit against CNN. The Los Angeles Times is reporting Dershowitz claimed CNN defamed him during its coverage of his remarks defending President Donald Trump during his 2020 impeachment. The Associated Press is reporting Dershowitz contended CNN aired only a portion of his comments, distorting their meaning. It said lower courts dismissed the suit, finding Dershowitz had not demonstrated CNN acted with "actual malice," the standard established by New York Times Co. v. Sullivan. Dershowitz had sought to reconsider this landmark First Amendment case. The court declined 7-2, with Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch dissenting. Thomas wrote the "actual malice" standard "bears 'no relation to the text, history, or structure of the Constitution.'"
Poynter is reporting the Supreme Court issued several other rulings, drawing mixed reactions from President Trump. In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled Trump could fire most independent agency heads without cause, expanding presidential power over the executive branch. MS NOW is reporting Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, a Democratic Federal Trade Commission member, expressed concern about presidents using such power to reward allies and punish adversaries. However, in a separate 5-4 decision, the court rejected Trump's attempt to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook. The New York Times is reporting Cook could not be dismissed without the opportunity to refute unproven mortgage fraud allegations cited by the Trump administration. CNN's Paula Reid, as detailed by Mediaite, explained the split decisions, noting "good news and bad news for President Trump." The New York Times editorial board criticized the rulings as "The Court's Hypocrisy," arguing they upset the balance of powers and sidelined Congress.
Poynter is reporting the court declined to overturn a jury verdict finding Trump liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll and defaming her, leaving a $5 million judgment in Carroll's favor. The Hill is reporting Carroll won an additional $83.3 million in a second trial, which Trump is appealing. Trump expressed his dissatisfaction on Truth Social, reiterating he never met Carroll and would continue to fight the matter. In a 5-4 decision, the court upheld a Mississippi law allowing election officials to count mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day and received up to five business days later. The New York Times is reporting striking down this law could have invalidated similar rules in over a dozen states and disrupted grace periods for various voters.
Poynter is reporting Comcast announced it will spin off NBCUniversal into a standalone company, unwinding a 15-year corporate structure. The New York Times is reporting this move aligns with a media industry trend of separating faster-growing internet services from traditional TV. Comcast chairman Brian Roberts stated both companies would benefit. Comcast co-CEO Mike Cavanagh will become NBCUniversal's chief executive, with Michael Angelakis becoming Comcast's CEO. Cavanagh said the separation provides focus, speed, and strategic flexibility. CNN is reporting this positions Comcast for future merger and acquisition activity, though Variety is reporting Roberts denied this, emphasizing organic growth strategies.
Poynter is reporting Mike Golic Sr. and Mike Golic Jr. are returning to ESPN Radio with a new morning show, "The Golics," starting Aug. 3. The show will air from 10 a.m. to noon Eastern on many ESPN affiliates, be simulcast on the ESPN App, and available as a podcast.