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The Cost

Topic

Media & Institutions

The press, public broadcasting, cultural institutions, and independent agencies - decisions affecting the institutions that hold power to account.

decisions
13
severe or critical
4
sources cited
77

All media & institutions decisions, newest first

  1. Federal warning signs outside the Smithsonian

    EO 14416 orders Park Service signs disputing the American History museum and directs agencies to use 'any and all available authorities' against what it calls ideological capture there.

  2. Clearing the way for national TV consolidation

    FCC Chair Carr moved to scrap the 39% national ownership cap - which Commissioner Gomez said only Congress can change - and the FCC repealed it 2-1 on August 6, 2026.

  3. Federal agents at reporters' front doors

    The DOJ subpoenaed four New York Times journalists in a leak probe over Air Force One reporting; some were served at home.

  4. Reporters surrender Pentagon badges over press pledge

    New rules demanded reporters not publish unclassified information without approval, prompting a mass walkout.

  5. Kimmel pulled off air after FCC pressure

    ABC suspended a late-night host hours after the FCC chair threatened license action over his remarks.

  6. Trump's billion-dollar suits target press

    A string of massive defamation actions pressures newsrooms; the NYT and WSJ suits were dismissed and refiled.

  7. Paramount pays Trump amid merger review

    A $16M settlement preceded FCC merger approval, a late-night cancellation, and a pulled "60 Minutes" segment at CBS.

  8. Congress defunds CPB; public-broadcasting funder dissolves

    Congress rescinded ~$1.1B in CPB funding and the corporation voted to shut down.

  9. Smithsonian ordered to remove 'race-centered ideology'

    An executive order directed the Vice President to work to remove 'improper ideology' from Smithsonian museums, and the White House ordered a content review of eight museums.

  10. Library funding agency targeted for elimination

    An EO to eliminate IMLS was reversed by settlement in April 2026.

  11. AP stays barred from White House pool after appeals court stay

    A district judge ordered AP reinstated, but the D.C. Circuit stayed that order and the exclusion continues.

  12. Kennedy Center board replaced; artists boycott

    Political takeover triggered 20+ show cancellations and a blocked attempt to rename the venue.

  13. FCC probes broadcasters for political bias

    Targeted broadcast probes threatened licenses; the CBS-Skydance merger cleared after a $16M Trump settlement.