Tapper Urges Journalists to Prioritize Truth Amid Lawsuits and Disinformation

In August 2025, the Truth Seekers Summit in New York City brought together influential figures in journalism, documentary filmmaking, and investigative storytelling to address the crisis of disinformation and the erosion of public trust in the media.

Keynote speaker Jake Tapper, the Chief Washington Correspondent and host of CNN's The Lead and State of the Union, delivered a sobering assessment of the media's current state. Tapper criticized news organizations for "leaving out facts that don't adhere to a narrative," arguing that journalists must include all relevant information to regain the trust of the American people.

Tapper also warned his colleagues about the growing threat of lawsuits aimed at bankrupting news outlets, rather than seeking justice or correcting the record. He urged journalists to remain vigilant in their pursuit of the truth, despite the legal risks.

Throughout the day-long event, other notable figures, such as NBC News' Yamiche Alcindor and The Daily Show's Ronny Chieng, discussed the challenges of finding truth in a fast-changing news cycle and the role of satire in exposing societal truths. Panels also explored the state of the documentary industry and the responsibility of true crime and investigative storytellers in covering sensitive topics.

The overarching message of the Truth Seekers Summit was clear: in an era of rampant disinformation, journalists must double down on their commitment to factual reporting, even in the face of legal and political pressures.