Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino The Most Impactful Media Stories of 2025
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Dec 26, 2025 Explore the chaotic landscape of 2025's media world, from significant layoffs at major news outlets to a fierce internal divide among MAGA media figures. The bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery heats up, while AI's influence reshapes content creation and trust. Tech giants face scrutiny as they seemingly bow to Trump, navigating settlements and policy changes. Amidst this turmoil, independent media gains traction as consumers push back against corporate dominance, hinting at a shifting power dynamic in the industry.
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Bezos' Cold Shoulder At The Washington Post
- Jon recounts Jeff Bezos' alleged meddling at the Washington Post and the resulting staff departures and subscriber losses.
- He notes the Post still produced major reporting like the Pete Hegseth airstrikes story despite opinion turmoil.
Owners Pushed Papers Rightward
- Several newspaper owners shifted rightward in 2025, altering newsroom direction and prompting departures.
- The Wall Street Journal editorial board stood out by forcefully criticizing Trump while others swung toward MAGA positions.
Paramount Purchase Upended CBS News
- Jon describes turmoil at CBS News after David Ellison acquired Paramount and installed Barry Weiss, prompting executive exits.
- He characterizes the 60 Minutes retraction settlement and deal-making as a major black eye for the network.