Jack Benjamin
@jackcarterbenjamin.bsky.social
Senior reporter and podcast producer for The Media Leader, a trade publication focused on all things commercial media.
Writer, journalist, American in London.
Writer, journalist, American in London.
This is an insane escalation of attacks on the press. Morally bankrupt. Plainly un-American.
The Trump administration is using the White House website to target journalists and outlets for coverage they don’t like.
The White House and the WH Press Secretary also use official government X accounts to direct people to the page in order to incite harassment.
www.whitehouse.gov/mediabias/
The White House and the WH Press Secretary also use official government X accounts to direct people to the page in order to incite harassment.
www.whitehouse.gov/mediabias/
Media Offenders
Explore the Media Bias Tracker that fact checks and holds Fake News accountable. False claims debunked, Hall of Shame for serial offenders, Leaderboard of networks ranked by Repeated Lies. Stay inform...
www.whitehouse.gov
November 29, 2025 at 11:45 PM
This is an insane escalation of attacks on the press. Morally bankrupt. Plainly un-American.
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
"Western civilization," the font, the 11 stars - 11 states in the confederacy, for the record.
Why is this never news? Why are we letting our government agencies do this sort of thing while the news agencies report on hallucinated trade deals and act like everything is normal
Why is this never news? Why are we letting our government agencies do this sort of thing while the news agencies report on hallucinated trade deals and act like everything is normal
November 29, 2025 at 5:20 PM
"Western civilization," the font, the 11 stars - 11 states in the confederacy, for the record.
Why is this never news? Why are we letting our government agencies do this sort of thing while the news agencies report on hallucinated trade deals and act like everything is normal
Why is this never news? Why are we letting our government agencies do this sort of thing while the news agencies report on hallucinated trade deals and act like everything is normal
Never been more disappointed in my alma mater. Northwestern is a great institution that should not need to cave to obvious extortionist efforts by a corrupt administration. Lord knows it has the endowment to have fought this.
The crumbling of American academic institutions is frankly embarrassing.
The crumbling of American academic institutions is frankly embarrassing.
BREAKING: Northwestern University has agreed to pay the U.S. Treasury $75 million, over the course of three years as part of an agreement with the federal government to restore funding and end investigations into the university
Full statement from NU below:
Full statement from NU below:
November 29, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Never been more disappointed in my alma mater. Northwestern is a great institution that should not need to cave to obvious extortionist efforts by a corrupt administration. Lord knows it has the endowment to have fought this.
The crumbling of American academic institutions is frankly embarrassing.
The crumbling of American academic institutions is frankly embarrassing.
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
The markets are staying afloat right now on the hope that AI will destroy American workers. What a bleak thing.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/b...
November 28, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The markets are staying afloat right now on the hope that AI will destroy American workers. What a bleak thing.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/b...
It appears Bluesky's userbase is overtaking Reddit in its disdain for advertising and consumerism.
I mean, I get the Black Friday backlash. I haven't bought anything on Black Friday in at least 5 years. And the flood of product recommendations (or outright ads) from publishers arguably harms trust.
I mean, I get the Black Friday backlash. I haven't bought anything on Black Friday in at least 5 years. And the flood of product recommendations (or outright ads) from publishers arguably harms trust.
November 28, 2025 at 11:42 AM
It appears Bluesky's userbase is overtaking Reddit in its disdain for advertising and consumerism.
I mean, I get the Black Friday backlash. I haven't bought anything on Black Friday in at least 5 years. And the flood of product recommendations (or outright ads) from publishers arguably harms trust.
I mean, I get the Black Friday backlash. I haven't bought anything on Black Friday in at least 5 years. And the flood of product recommendations (or outright ads) from publishers arguably harms trust.
X is a potent propaganda tool and should be considered as such.
"Repeated exposure to posts expressing antidemocratic attitudes and partisan animosity 'significantly influences' users’ feelings of polarisation and boosts sadness and anger."
"Repeated exposure to posts expressing antidemocratic attitudes and partisan animosity 'significantly influences' users’ feelings of polarisation and boosts sadness and anger."
Small changes to ‘for you’ feed on X can rapidly increase political polarisation
Study finds that a week of political content can bring about a shift in views that previously would have taken three years
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:58 AM
X is a potent propaganda tool and should be considered as such.
"Repeated exposure to posts expressing antidemocratic attitudes and partisan animosity 'significantly influences' users’ feelings of polarisation and boosts sadness and anger."
"Repeated exposure to posts expressing antidemocratic attitudes and partisan animosity 'significantly influences' users’ feelings of polarisation and boosts sadness and anger."
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
The new Vanity Fair editor sought to make his magazine less woke and some of his first moves were hiring Olivia Nuzzi, publishing an abstract nude of Nuzzi by a person now alleged to have made illegal recordings on her behalf, and putting only men in the Hollywood issue
November 26, 2025 at 10:17 PM
The new Vanity Fair editor sought to make his magazine less woke and some of his first moves were hiring Olivia Nuzzi, publishing an abstract nude of Nuzzi by a person now alleged to have made illegal recordings on her behalf, and putting only men in the Hollywood issue
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
OBR says lower net migration will hurt overall productivity
November 26, 2025 at 12:31 PM
OBR says lower net migration will hurt overall productivity
This is a huge embarrassment and substantially more problematic than the Panorama edit.
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Trump’s Fury at BBC Gets Unnerving Results with Pro-MAGA Edit Stunner
First, British Broadcasting Corporation execs resigned after Trump complained about a segment. Now the BBC edited out a line from a historian that was critical of Trump. Where does this end?
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:08 PM
This is a huge embarrassment and substantially more problematic than the Panorama edit.
This is the first year I’ve ever tracked all the books I’ve read. The aim was to get to at least 25, which I accomplished today.
Here’s what I’ve completed: 1/x
Here’s what I’ve completed: 1/x
November 22, 2025 at 11:29 PM
This is the first year I’ve ever tracked all the books I’ve read. The aim was to get to at least 25, which I accomplished today.
Here’s what I’ve completed: 1/x
Here’s what I’ve completed: 1/x
More media consolidation among right wing owners.
The CMA will have a lot to say about this but at least DMGT is not foreign owned.
In any event, it’s still a massive overpay. The Telegraph is not worth £500m.
The CMA will have a lot to say about this but at least DMGT is not foreign owned.
In any event, it’s still a massive overpay. The Telegraph is not worth £500m.
Daily Mail owner strikes £500m deal to buy Telegraph titles
Acquisition likely to trigger in-depth investigation by regulator after agreement between DMGT and Redbird IMI
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:37 AM
More media consolidation among right wing owners.
The CMA will have a lot to say about this but at least DMGT is not foreign owned.
In any event, it’s still a massive overpay. The Telegraph is not worth £500m.
The CMA will have a lot to say about this but at least DMGT is not foreign owned.
In any event, it’s still a massive overpay. The Telegraph is not worth £500m.
As you’d expect, it’s a Russian wishlist. Americans should feel nothing but shame (again).
Read the full text of Trump’s 28-point Ukraine-Russia peace plan on.ft.com/4ibYCHp
Read the full text of Trump’s 28-point Ukraine-Russia peace plan
[FREE TO READ] Proposed deal would limit size of Ukrainian forces and calls on Kyiv to withdraw troops from eastern Donetsk
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:18 AM
As you’d expect, it’s a Russian wishlist. Americans should feel nothing but shame (again).
Per @us.theguardian.com: "Senior White House officials have discussed internally their preference for Paramount Skydance to acquire Warner Bros Discovery in recent weeks, and one official has discussed potential programming changes at CNN with Larry Ellison, the largest shareholder of Paramount."
Larry Ellison discussed axing CNN hosts with White House in takeover bid talks
Exclusive: Senior officials indicated favorability toward Paramount Skydance acquiring Warner Bros Discovery
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Per @us.theguardian.com: "Senior White House officials have discussed internally their preference for Paramount Skydance to acquire Warner Bros Discovery in recent weeks, and one official has discussed potential programming changes at CNN with Larry Ellison, the largest shareholder of Paramount."
"There’s no money in journalism anymore. No fame, no glamour, no prestige. But there’s lots and lots of money in media—in being a brand, an influencer, a personality. We stopped paying journalists and started rewarding performers."
The Olivia Nuzzi Comeback Is Everything Wrong With Modern Media
Olivia Nuzzi’s comeback isn’t a personal scandal story—it’s proof that today’s media rewards access, personality, and controversy more than ethics.
www.mediaite.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:41 PM
"There’s no money in journalism anymore. No fame, no glamour, no prestige. But there’s lots and lots of money in media—in being a brand, an influencer, a personality. We stopped paying journalists and started rewarding performers."
Something special about half frame film photography
November 19, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Something special about half frame film photography
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
You can oversee the bloody dismemberment of a Washington Post journalist with a bone saw, and the president of the United States will smile, shake your hand and threaten to pull the license of a news outlet whose reporter asks you a question about it.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Trump defends Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi killing
The de facto Saudi ruler was branded a pariah in 2018 after the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Now, U.S.-Saudi relations are approaching a high point.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:11 PM
You can oversee the bloody dismemberment of a Washington Post journalist with a bone saw, and the president of the United States will smile, shake your hand and threaten to pull the license of a news outlet whose reporter asks you a question about it.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
"Anybody bidding now for The Daily Telegraph should use the help of an actuary to work out the age and morbidity rates of remaining readers of the actual newspaper."
The two faces of The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph may have broken the story that has plunged the BBC into crisis, but the newspaper group is facing a crisis of its own, as Ray Snoddy explains.
uk.themedialeader.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:18 AM
"Anybody bidding now for The Daily Telegraph should use the help of an actuary to work out the age and morbidity rates of remaining readers of the actual newspaper."
Trump on the death of Charlie Kirk: "I ask all Americans to commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived and died: the values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law, and the patriotic devotion and love of God."
Trump on the death of Jamal Khashoggi: "Things happen."
Trump on the death of Jamal Khashoggi: "Things happen."
Trump claims slain journalist Khashoggi was ‘extremely controversial,’ defends Saudi crown prince | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump on Tuesday angrily dismissed a question about the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi, claiming the Saudi dissident journalist was “extremely controversial” and insisting the subject...
edition.cnn.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Trump on the death of Charlie Kirk: "I ask all Americans to commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived and died: the values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law, and the patriotic devotion and love of God."
Trump on the death of Jamal Khashoggi: "Things happen."
Trump on the death of Jamal Khashoggi: "Things happen."
Oh god, the business accounts have come to WhatsApp DMs
November 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Oh god, the business accounts have come to WhatsApp DMs
NEW: Goalhanger is launching a new podcast next week: The Rest Is Science.
Hosted by professor Hannah Fry and VSauce's Michael Stevens, the series will run twice a weekly (Tues + Thurs), exploring big scientific ideas.
Hosted by professor Hannah Fry and VSauce's Michael Stevens, the series will run twice a weekly (Tues + Thurs), exploring big scientific ideas.
November 18, 2025 at 9:54 AM
NEW: Goalhanger is launching a new podcast next week: The Rest Is Science.
Hosted by professor Hannah Fry and VSauce's Michael Stevens, the series will run twice a weekly (Tues + Thurs), exploring big scientific ideas.
Hosted by professor Hannah Fry and VSauce's Michael Stevens, the series will run twice a weekly (Tues + Thurs), exploring big scientific ideas.
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
Imagine escaping the literal Nazis, making it to America, living three quarters of a century there making your life, and then this:
79-year-old Paul Bojerski was born to Polish parents in a WWII German refugee camp. His family legally emigrated to the U.S. when he was 5.
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
He’s been taken by ICE in Florida.
www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/16/s...
Sanford grandfather, born in refugee camp, nabbed by ICE after 70 years in U.S.
Paul Bojerski never gained official residency, but he checked in regularly with ICE for years. Then in July, at age 79, he was detained and sent to Alligator Alcatraz.
www.orlandosentinel.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Imagine escaping the literal Nazis, making it to America, living three quarters of a century there making your life, and then this:
Remarkable that you can get deservedly fired for a total abdication of basic journalistic standards and still somehow end up in the pages of Vanity Fair, glam photoshoot included.
I have respect for VF. And respectfully, this is the type of thing that causes a decline in trust in your brand.
I have respect for VF. And respectfully, this is the type of thing that causes a decline in trust in your brand.
Vanity Fair's West Coast Editor Olivia Nuzzi was a star political correspondent until scandal led her into exile—and to a California up in flames.
In an excerpt from her book, ‘American Canto,’ she takes stock of scorched earth.
In an excerpt from her book, ‘American Canto,’ she takes stock of scorched earth.
Olivia Nuzzi's 'American Canto': Read the Exclusive Excerpt
She flamed out and she faded away. 'Vanity Fair'’s West Coast Editor returns to the written word to survey scorched earth.
www.vanityfair.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Remarkable that you can get deservedly fired for a total abdication of basic journalistic standards and still somehow end up in the pages of Vanity Fair, glam photoshoot included.
I have respect for VF. And respectfully, this is the type of thing that causes a decline in trust in your brand.
I have respect for VF. And respectfully, this is the type of thing that causes a decline in trust in your brand.
I don't even know what to say anymore.
Telegraph sale to RedBird collapses
US private equity group walked away due to regulatory uncertainty and negative commentary from newspaper
www.ft.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:08 PM
I don't even know what to say anymore.
Reposted by Jack Benjamin
When Jeffrey Epstein thinks *you're* the scumbag.
November 13, 2025 at 12:24 AM
When Jeffrey Epstein thinks *you're* the scumbag.