Media News 10/5/25

1. China waged an infowar against U.S. interests in the Philippines
   A Reuters investigation shows how Beijing ran covert influence operations via fake social media accounts and disguised media outlets to shape Philippine public opinion against the U.S. Reuters

2. Paramount Skydance acquires The Free Press for $150M
   CBS / Paramount’s reorientation of editorial direction, by acquiring Bari Weiss’s The Free Press, signals changes in media ownership and potential ideological shifts. Axios

3. YouTube pays $24.5mn to settle Trump censorship lawsuit
   YouTube agreed to a large settlement after a censorship suit by Donald Trump, highlighting tensions around content moderation and claims of bias in big tech platforms. Financial Times

4. Guardian Advertising pushes creativity in 2025 Upfronts
   At its 2025 Upfront event, Guardian Advertising emphasized fewer but more effective ads, presenting a new “FAME index” for measuring ad impact. The Guardian

5. FTC investigates Media Matters amid Musk / X controversy
   The FTC has demanded documents from Media Matters regarding its dealings with media and advertisers, following a high-profile dispute involving Elon Musk’s social media ventures. The Washington Post

6. FCC chair backs requiring AI disclosure in political TV, radio ads
   U.S. FCC leadership is pushing for rules that would require explicit disclosure when ads (on TV / radio) use AI-generated content. Reuters

7. Report: China funds “army” of fake accounts to discredit U.S. in Philippines
   This further coverage underscores how state-linked influence campaigns use fake accounts to project narratives favorable to Chinese interests. News.com.au

8. How foreign powers are gaslighting Americans
   An opinion piece argues that Russia, China, and Iran are exploiting reduced U.S. counter-disinformation infrastructure to push false narratives domestically. The Washington Post

9. A fake news website impersonates Le Monde and Brut
   A site called “BrutInfo” mimics French outlets to publish false claims about Macron, illustrating the ease with which propaganda sites can masquerade as legitimate media. Le Monde.fr

10. In global game of influence, China turns to a cheap and effective tool: fake news
    China’s use of AI-generated content and fake news sites is part of a growing state-directed media influence strategy targeting global audiences. AP News