Vast data collection that fuels online advertising constitutes a surveillance ecosystem that threatens journalists and their sources, according to a new study from Harvard Kennedy School, titled “How Mass Surveillance From Online Advertising Puts Journalists at Risk. The study by Technology and Human Rights Fellow Jonathan Rozen found that real-time bidding systems, data brokers and ad-delivered spyware can expose sensitive information like journalists’ locations, movements, contacts and activities to private companies, law enforcement and other players. 

The top 15 U..S podcast advertisers spent $56.7 million in July -- a 6% decline from the prior month, according to data from Magellan AI, Barrett Media reports. Quince led the way with $7.5 million in July spend, followed by BetterHelp ($5.4 million) and Amazon ($5.4 million). Sports content dominated the field. It was not clear if the broader podcast market experienced a similar decline. 

FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez has sharply criticized the Media Bureau guidance that expands the types of political entities that can qualify for discounted broadcast advertising rates, TVTechnology reports. The Media Bureau is now allowing joint fundraising committees and party committees to purchase airtime at steep discounts weeks before voting begins for the midterm election, she contends.   

British entertainment platform DAZN is acquiring EverPass Media, a firm that provides premium sports content, Reuters reports. The deal  combines DAZN's sports content with the U.S. streaming ‌and technology capabilities of EverPass. And it gives DAZN “a proven commercial distribution platform, deep relationships across U.S. venues, and an attractive portfolio of premium rights," says Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN Group. As part of the deal, Redbird Capital Partners, 32 Equity and TKO Group Holdings will become minority shareholders in DAZN. 

The settlement of social-media addiction charges by Meta for $18 million will not have a material impact on its bottom line, given the $200.97 billion in revenue it made last year, Mother Jones writes in an analysis. Other recent losses in legal actions will also have no effect. And they will have no impact on Meta’s effort to become an AI company. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has released an essay stating that Meta should be able to build data centers wherever it wants.

Microdrama downloads grew y 95.5% YoY in the first half of 2026, surging to a total of 1.45 billion, Marketing Dive reports. And the number of active advertisers on short drama apps rose by 132% while create output increased 151%. Brands incuding Marc Jacobs and Dr. Pepper are serving up microdrama content that resonates with Gen Z: absurd love triangles and antics inspired by soap operas.

The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that political parties are not entitled to greatly lower candidate TV advertising rates, Politico reports. The Supreme Court recently allowed political parties to spend unlimited amounts, working with campaigns. The decision is being appealed, but will significantly erode the advantage Republicans believe they got from the SCOTUS ruling if it holds. ““The [lowest unit charge] requirement and campaign finance statutes are clear that neither political parties nor joint fundraising committees with non-candidate members can be entitled to the LUC,” the majority opinion states.

Alcoholic beverage marketers face new compliance issues, resulting from the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), Regulatory Oversight reports. AI tools do not understand federal regulations. They cannot tell the difference between a permissible lifestyle image and a graphic that implies a health benefit. And state regulations add a second layer of compliance risk. 

Crooked Media is acquiring and reviving the “FivethirtyEight Politics” podcast, Variety reports. The podcast, which is hosted by Nate Silver, Clare Malone and Galen Druke, will be renamed as “Stil Counting.” The weekly will premiere on September 9 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and other platforms. The “FivethirtyEight Politics” blog was launched by Silver in 2008. It has since had different owners, including ESPN and ABC News. Earlier, it was a licensed New York Times feature.   

People Inc., publisher of People and numerous other publications, is a strong stock buy, Seeking Alpha advises. People Inc. now owns 66.8 million shares of MGM, giving it a 26.8% equity stake ss. This equity is now larger than People Inc’s market capitalization. “People Incorporated's asset disposals have strengthened the balance sheet, and, with cautious assumptions about the digital publishing business, our NAV indicates that the company trades at an approximately 40% discount,” Seeking Alpha writes.