Unlike traditional journalism, creators often give politicians editorial control. They provide a "courtesy edit" and admit that, legally, a politician's team could likely prevent the content from being published if they disagreed with the final cut, a major concession of creative control.

Jodi Cantor's careful language on the podcast isn't just caution; it's a strategic necessity. She operates under the assumption that her sources, or even the subjects of her reporting, could be listening. Every word is weighed to avoid giving the "wrong impression" and jeopardizing hard-won reporting access.

The media landscape has shifted from a few press channels to infinite creator channels. The old strategy was message control ("what can I not say?"). The new strategy is authenticity and volume; a gaffe is fixed by creating more content, not by apologizing.

A core principle for maintaining journalistic integrity is to treat access as a liability ("poison") rather than an asset. By operating without a dependency on privileged information from powerful sources, a journalist can maintain an independent viewpoint. Paradoxically, this very independence often makes them more attractive to sources, thus increasing access over the long term.

Marketing leaders shouldn't wait for FTC regulation to establish ethical AI guidelines. The real risk of using undisclosed AI, like virtual influencers, isn't immediate legal trouble but the long-term erosion of consumer trust. Once customers feel misled, that brand damage is incredibly difficult to repair.

The risk of unverified information from generative AI is compelling news organizations to establish formal ethics policies. These new rules often forbid publishing AI-created content unless the story is about AI itself, mandate disclosure of its use, and reinforce rigorous human oversight and fact-checking.

The media landscape has shifted; print journalists now frequently arrive with cameras to capture video for online articles and social media. Spokespeople must be camera-ready for every media interaction, as any interview can become a video segment.

When paid creators (bloggers, influencers) refuse to attach their names to a branded project, it signals a fundamental misalignment. This should be treated as a critical stop-gate for the campaign, regardless of sunk costs, as it invalidates the premise of authenticity from the start.

The Snowflake CRO's viral TikTok interview, where he accidentally disclosed revenue guidance, highlights a new risk landscape. The rise of informal, high-reach content formats means executives can easily make unscripted, material disclosures, creating significant compliance and legal headaches for public companies.