In today’s Digest, we look at Trump threatening a USD$1bn lawsuit against the BBC over the editing of a Panorama broadcast, TikTok and iHeartMedia launching a podcast network to tap the creator economy, and Netflix eyeing original video podcasts. We also discuss Wikipedia urging AI developers to use its content responsibly.

Trump threatens $1bn lawsuit against BBC

Trump has threatened a USD$1bn (£740m) lawsuit against the BBC over a Panorama episode aired before the 2024 US election. Trump’s legal team claims the program misrepresented his speech on 6th January 2021 by editing remarks to suggest he encouraged violence at the Capitol.  Trump accuses the BBC of making "false, defamatory, disparaging, misleading, and inflammatory statements" about him. 

BBC chair Samir Shah acknowledged an "error of judgment" in the Panorama documentary, admitting that the edited clip of Donald Trump’s speech could have given the impression of a "direct call for action". Shah said the corporation would like to apologise for the mistake.  

Legal experts note that suing the BBC in the US could face jurisdictional hurdles, as the program was not widely accessible in Florida, though Trump’s lawyers argue it was distributed digitally.

Podcast Push: TikTok & iHeartMedia launch creator network as Netflix eyes its own video podcasts

TikTok and iHeartMedia are teaming up to create the TikTok Podcast Network, a new initiative that will feature up to 25 podcasts from TikTok creators. The collaboration will involve iHeartMedia opening co-branded studios in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta, equipped for both audio and video production. The companies also announced TikTok Radio, a station blending creator-hosted segments with trending music and behind-the-scenes stories.

The podcasts will be widely distributed through iHeartPodcasts, with clips and highlights shared on TikTok to maximise reach. Creators involved in the network will also participate in major iHeartMedia events, including the iHeartRadio Music Festival and Jingle Ball. The partnership aims to attract sponsorships and new revenue streams while positioning iHeartMedia to engage younger audiences.Executives from both companies framed the deal as a cultural and commercial win. 

Similarly, Netflix is reportedly planning to produce original video podcasts exclusive to its platform, signaling a deeper push into the growing podcast market. According to Bloomberg, the company has approached creators to develop new shows and is preparing to redesign its mobile app to make podcasts easier to discover.

Wikipedia urges responsible use of its content by AI

The Wikimedia Foundation has outlined a plan to safeguard Wikipedia in the AI era, calling on developers to properly attribute its content and access it through its paid Wikimedia Enterprise platform. The organisation says the opt-in product allows companies to use Wikipedia at scale without straining its servers, while supporting its nonprofit mission. 

In a blog post, the foundation stressed the importance of transparency in AI-generated content: "For people to trust information shared on the internet, platforms should make it clear where the information is sourced from and elevate opportunities to visit and participate in those sources."

The guidelines urge AI companies to credit human contributors and adopt safeguards that prevent misuse of Wikipedia’s content. While the foundation stopped short of threatening legal action, it emphasised that responsible integration is critical as generative AI tools proliferate. Alongside these measures, Wikipedia plans to use AI internally to assist editors with translation and repetitive tasks, tools designed to support, not replace its human community.