Newsweek Responds to Latest Lawsuit in Ongoing Litigation by Olivet, IBT and Affiliates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 29, 2025

NEW YORK, December 29, 2025— Newsweek responded to the latest in an ongoing series of meritless suits filed by Olivet University and affiliated entities targeting Newsweek’s reporting, ownership, and both its editorial and business leadership, including claims against its co-owner and Chief Executive Officer, Dev Pragad

Beginning in 2022 and continuing over multiple years, federal and state courts have repeatedly dismissed or rejected claims brought by Olivet University and IBT, the same plaintiff interests against Newsweek, its reporting, and its ownership structure, resolving those matters in Newsweek’s and Pragad’s favor. Courts have recognized and rejected repeated efforts to repackage the same allegations under new captions or affiliated entities, declining to permit issues that have already been reviewed and resolved to be relitigated. Courts have also recognized that these actions extend beyond challenges to individual articles, instead targeting Newsweek’s leadership, governance, and operations as a whole — a strategy that has repeatedly failed under judicial scrutiny. The latest filing similarly repackages allegations that have already been reviewed by courts and rejected, without presenting any new factual or legal basis. Newsweek recognizes these futile tactics by Olivet and its affiliates to suppress our journalism through personal attacks on its leadership and will vigorously resist them.  Rehashing previously rejected claims under successive new filings will not change outcomes.

Newsweek’s coverage has been grounded in verifiable public records, court filings, and regulatory materials addressing matters of public interest. Newsweek has previously explained that its reporting on Olivet University and its leadership was undertaken because the matters involved issues of public interest and was based on publicly available court records, regulatory filings, and other verifiable sources, consistent with its editorial standards. Coverage of Olivet and its affiliates will continue so long as the newsroom determines that there is a valid journalistic basis for it.

Dev Pragad, President and Chief Executive Officer of Newsweek, said:

“These lawsuits are not about Newsweek’s journalism, but an attempt to cover up legitimate coverage about Olivet and its affiliates. They reflect repeated attempts by the same plaintiff interests to relitigate allegations that courts have already rejected. Claims attacking our reporting, ownership, and operations have been dismissed time and again, and we are confident this latest filing will meet the same result.

Newsweek will vigorously defend against the claims while remaining focused on its mission of delivering independent, fact-based journalism.”

Media Contact: media.inquiries@newsweek.com