Organic search clicks have decreased by 42% since the expansion of Google AI Overviews in Google Search in May 2025, according to an analysis by Define Media Group, Search Engine Land reports. But breaking news traffic for publishers grew by 103% from November 2024 through early 2026 as readers have sought news on major developments like international conflicts. These queries often link to Top Stories articles instead of AI Overviews. 

Jurors have heard closing arguments in the social media addiction trial that is concluding in Los Angeles, PBS reports. The parade of witnesses has included addiction experts, therapists and media executives like Mark Zuckerberg. "I don't naysay the opportunity to make money, but when you're making money off of kids, you have to do it responsibly," said Mark Lanier, the attorney representing the plaintiff known as Kaley, in his closing remarks. 

Media companies are drowning in data but lack the coherence and alignment they need to make it work, according to a study by the DPP, TVTechnology reports. Many organizations have made significant investments in data capabilities, but are struggling to achieve measurable impact.

The news media is responsible for stigmatizing childlessness as a deviation from moral or cultural norms, Phys,.Org reports. The claims were made by Julia Schröders of Umeå University, Sweden, and colleagues. The group seeks to develop media literacy initiatives to destigmatize childlessness and suppot more equitable health reporting

A federal judge has ruled that Washington legislators were within their rights to refuse press badges to three conservative media figures, TVNewsCheck reports. The three—Ari Hoffman, Brandi Kruse and Jonathan Choe—had asked the court to order the state to provide them with press oases in the closing days of the session. But the state argued that they were not bona fide journalists. 

A dispute between DISH Network and Gray Media has resulted in DISH Network television customers in several Michigan markets being disconnected from Gray Media-owned stations, the Detroit Free Press reports. The two companies failed to reach an agreement on a transmission renewal. The stations posted messages o social media and their websites saying that DISH had dropped their stations. 

New York is considering a bill that would make social media companies responsible for limiting fraud, the Times-Union reports.  The SAFE Platforms Act would mandate that social media firms would improve the ability of users to report fraud, while allowing them to view an advertiser’s legal name, country or jurisdiction. It would also require a “know your customer” verification for advertisers and payment methods. 

West Virginia is getting close to passing a bill that would limit state contracting with ad agencies that use services that rank media outlets by accuracy and bias, the Herald-Star reports. The House Judiciary Committee amended and recommended the First Amendment Preservation Act and it will now move to the full House. The bill is supported by the conservative outlet Newsmax, which has long opposed NewsGuard, a trust rating service. 

Meta plans to charge advertisers to cover digital service taxes imposed by some European countries, starting on July 1, Reuters reports. The fee will total 2% in the United Kingdom to 3% in France, Italy and Spain and 5% in Austria and Turkey. Previously, Google and Amazon had added fees to cover the taxes.. “These changes are part of Meta's ongoing effort to respond to the evolving regulatory landscape and align with ‌industry standards,” the company said in a blog.  

Three conservative media figures have have sued the Legislature and the Capitol Correspondents Association, claiming they were arbitrarily denied access to the House earlier in the legislative session, Courthouse News Service reports. They include radio host Ari Hoffman, podcaster Brandi Kruse and correspondent Jonathan Choe. Choe reportedly was denied a press pass because he works for a think tank, not a news organization. Kruse and Hoffman were refused because they are engaged in public policy. Only three days remain in the session.