Mediagazer: Audioboo: Nick Davies debates with @theboylatch and Mark Lewis over Milly Dowler voicemail deletions http://t.co/UScMJhsa #leveson (Lisa O'Carroll/@lisaocarroll)

8:40 AM ET, December 12, 2011

Top News:

Brian Stelter / Media Decoder:

BuzzFeed Adds Politico Writer — BuzzFeed, a site where the editors and algorithms sift the Web in search of viral articles elsewhere, has decided that it needs articles of its own. — In a move that is sure to surprise the political and journalistic classes, the site is hiring Ben Smith …

Discussion: JIMROMENESKO.COM, New York Magazine, @peretti, @benpolitico and Future of Journalism

Guardian:

Neville Thurlbeck gives evidence — Full coverage as News of the World's former chief reporter, investigations editor and executive editor appear at the inquiry — 1.20pm: Here is a lunchtime summary of today's evidence so far: — • Former News of the World investigations editor Mazher Mahmood …

Discussion: The Independent and Telegraph

Telegraph:

Phone Hacking: confirmed victims ‘total about 800’, says police inquiry chief — The final number of victims who had their phones hacked by the News of the World is likely to be about 800, the head of the police inquiry has said. — Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers …

Dominic Ponsford / Press Gazette:

Evidence suggests NoW did not delete Dowler messages — New evidence has emerged suggesting that News of the World journalists were not responsible for the deletion of mobile phone messages which gave Milly Dowler's family false hope she was alive. — The News of the World is not believed …

Discussion: Journalism.co.uk

Lisa O'Carroll / @lisaocarroll:

Audioboo: Nick Davies debates with @theboylatch and Mark Lewis over Milly Dowler voicemail deletions http://t.co/UScMJhsa #leveson

Guardian:

Phone hacking: full text of statement issued by Dowler family lawyer — Mark Lewis of Taylor Hampton Solicitors has issued a statement on behalf of Bob and Sally Dowler — It has been reported that contrary to what the Metropolitan police had said to the Dowler family earlier this year …

Discussion: Deadline.com, Daily Mail, The Independent, FleetStreetBlues and Jon Slattery

Joe Pompeo / Capital New York:

Huffington Post to launch a version in Spain, to be called El Huffington Post — The Huffington Post has just signed a deal with Spanish newspaper El Pais to produce a new version of the caffeinated news brand Arianna Huffington has made famous in the United States.

Discussion: paidContent

David Carr / New York Times:

When Truth Survives Free Speech — Last week, a story came across my desk that seemed to suggest that a blogger had been unfairly nailed with a $2.5 million defamation award after a judge refused to give her standing as a journalist. A businessman who was the target of the blogger's inquiries brought the suit.

Discussion: Future of Journalism

Brian Stelter / Media Decoder:

‘Face the Nation’ Plans Shift to Hourlong Format — The half-hour Sunday public affairs program on CBS, “Face the Nation,” will become an hourlong program next spring, matching its rivals on other television networks. — “I cannot remember when I've been happier to break a story than I am to tell you this …

Discussion: TVNewser

Brian Stelter / Media Decoder:

Geraldo Rivera Gets Talk Deal on WABC Radio — Geraldo Rivera's been called a lot of names in his life. Here's a new one: radio talk show host. — In a deal to be announced Monday, Mr. Rivera will host the 10 and 11 a.m. hours on WABC in Manhattan, one of the nation's biggest stations.

Discussion: Inside Cable News

D.M. Levine / Adweek:

Executives at Struggling OWN Consider Changing Course — Executives at OWN think they may have found a way to salvage Oprah Winfrey's struggling network: by catering more to an African-American audience. That may help ratings, but it would mean a dramatic shift, and one that could put the channel at odds with Winfrey's own brand.

Josh Halliday / Guardian:

Pearson to sell FTSE stake for £450m — Financial Times and Penguin owner Pearson to sell 50% stake in FTSE International group in shift from financial data — Pearson is to sell its 50% stake in the FTSE International group to the London Stock Exchange for £450m in cash.

Discussion: Media Week