Media Ownership & Trust: US DOJ cleared the $81B Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger, but lawmakers and state AGs warn it could concentrate control over CBS News and CNN, raising fears for audience trust and political influence. Press Freedom Under Pressure: A Nordic-Baltic “freedom” paradox shows how even top-ranked systems still apply strong pressure when reporting drifts into the security sphere. Journalism Under Fire: Pakistan faced renewed criticism after journalist Sohraab Barkat was detained over PoJK unrest coverage, while Mexico reported another journalist murder tied to threats from law enforcement. AI, Misuse & Consent: UK Labour MP Jess Asato says Grok deepfake “digital undressing” has turbocharged misogyny, pushing for accountability as AI harms spread on major platforms. Regulation & Online Incitement: UK politics escalates after Belfast riots, with calls for X and other platforms to fund riot costs and face tougher action for incitement. Afghanistan Media Crackdown: Taliban officials reportedly banned smartphones in institutions and destroyed devices, while women’s public access remains heavily restricted. Public Media Funding Stress: Ireland’s TV licence revenue keeps sliding, with “marked increase in evasion” blamed for the decline. Industry Role Shift: Malaysia’s New Straits Times urged journalists to act like content creators, not just reporters, to stay competitive. Local Media Infrastructure: Nigeria’s NUJ president praised Bauchi’s renovation of the union secretariat as a boost for journalist welfare and capacity. Cybercrime Bill Watch: A new cybercrime bill is framed as a journalist’s nightmare, spotlighting how legal tools can chill reporting.