Seth Stern

Brian Stelter @brianstelter

Paramount just issued a lengthy statement responding to @MarkRuffalo: "We are, as always, troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported service of a business dispute. Words like ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid,’ applied to a corporate transaction, aren’t just wrong — they’re a bridge too far, and they cheapen the very real suffering those words are meant to describe. This doesn't deserve a response in kind — and to be clear, we don’t tolerate prejudice of any kind, against anyone. This brings us to a moment to lower the temperature, not raise it. We’d rather build than further engage in such rhetoric. This simply exposes the true motivation of some who have advocated opposition to this transaction. On the other hand, our commitment to great content is matched by our commitment to acceptance - to every story, every storyteller, and no blacklists, no exceptions, for anyone. We understand people feel strongly about this merger and are hopeful and expect that it will be judged based on the legal merits, not underlying bias. We’re asking for the same good faith we’re extending: less rhetoric, more understanding. Paramount’s future is being written for everyone who wants to make and watch great stories."

Variety @Variety

FCC Chair Says ABC's Decision to Not Broadcast Trump Speech Live Will Be Part of Agency's Review of Station Licenses

Freedom of the Press Foundation @FreedomofPress

The SEC "gag rule" is blatantly unconstitutional. As financial regulators confront new tech — crypto, prediction markets, etc. — they’re sure to make mistakes. You deserve to be informed. Hear from experts on why SCOTUS must act. 🗓️ May 5, 2 pm ET

Acyn @Acyn

FCC Chair: Trump is winning. Look at the results—PBS and NPR defunded. Joy Reid, Sleepy-Eyed Chuck Todd, Jim Acosta, John Dickerson are gone. Colbert is leaving. CBS is under new ownership, and soon enough CNN will have new ownership as well.

Congressman Pat Harrigan @RepPatHarrigan

Targeting U.S. Special Operators after a classified mission is beyond reckless. These are the men who operate in silence, take the highest risks, and go home hoping their families stay out of it, and some decided exposure was worth the clicks. I served in Special Operations, and I’ve seen how quickly names and images tied to sensitive missions turn into real-world threats. That’s exactly why I’m leading the Special Operator Protection Act with @RepRichHudson and @SenTedBuddNC to make doxxing America’s most elite warriors a federal crime.

Defending Rights & Dissent @RightsDissent

Rep. Luna knows her criminal referral for @SethHarpEsq runs afoul of the First Amendment. She previously cosponsored a resolution we supported calling for the charges to be dropped against Julian Assange. As the resolution acknowledged, Assange's prosecution for publishing classified information violated the First Amendment. While we agree with Luna's previous stance that publishing constitutes "regular journalistic activities" "protected under the First Amendment," we note Harp did not publish classified information.