Mediagazer: Big media must be bold to thrive in the era of brand journalism (Andy Bull/Spundge)

7:05 PM ET, July 27, 2013

Top News:

Erin Griffith / PandoDaily:

Inside TimeSpace, the New York Times' new startup accelerator — Like many entrepreneurs, Tarikh Korula takes pride in the standard perks of entrepreneurship: He doesn't have a boss, a corporate cubicle, or a “real job.” It's been seven years since he's worked in what he calls a “proper midtown office.”

Discussion: @rajmalikdc, @durple, @_alastair, @_alastair, @tomweingarten, @rafat, @bydanielvictor and FishbowlNY

Andy Bull / Spundge:

Big media must be bold to thrive in the era of brand journalism — Everyone knows big media is in trouble. The newspaper industry appears to be in terminal decline, and traditional broadcasting fares little better. — But it doesn't have to be that way. Let me tell you a story from the golden age of mass media.

Thanks:@craigsilverman

Kara Swisher / AllThingsD:

Yahoo Plans Splashy New San Francisco Digs (And Dreams of Neon Billboard's Return) — According to multiple sources close to the situation, Yahoo is close to signing a lease for a splashy new San Francisco outpost to keep up with the fast growth of other Web companies that have opened high-profile offices here.

Discussion: Softpedia News, VatorNews, @benwitte and Bloomberg

Michael Calderone / The Huffington Post:

Al Jazeera America Promises To Stand Out In Cable News Market, But Concerns Loom — NEW YORK — Kate O'Brian, a 30-year ABC News veteran named president of Al Jazeera America this week, says the soon-to-be-launched network will stand out in today's cable news landscape.

Paul Farhi / Washington Post:

The Obama media pool lacks racial depth — When the first black president of the United States walked into the White House press room to talk about Trayvon Martin and the complexities of race in America last Friday, the people poised to convey his remarks to the world were overwhelmingly of one race — white.

Amanda Erickson / Columbia Journalism Review:

In Azerbaijan, a journalist under siege — Khadija Ismayilova's fight against wrongdoings, “wherever they are” — It was supposed to be a punishment—220 hours plucking garbage off the streets of Baku, Azerbaijan. — Instead, journalist Khadija Ismayilova turned her community service assignment into an impromptu rally for change.

Jeff John Roberts / GigaOM:

Content owners warn Congress of “fair use creep,” draw ridicule — Groups representing the movie, music and photography industries testified before Congress on Thursday, and called on the government to consider changing laws to do more to address piracy and file-sharing.

Discussion: Techdirt, TorrentFreak, LAW.com, Creativity Tech, @thecyberlawyer and @jmarkockerbloom

Davin Hutchins / Mediashift:

‘Syria Stories’ Uses On-Demand Illustrations to Tell Personal Wartime Stories — Fewer than half of Middle East residents think it's safe to express political opinions online, according to a study by sponsor Northwestern University in Qatar. Explore the data on this interactive site and watch a recent MediaTwits chat about the study.

Daniel Leblanc / Globe and Mail:

Journalist Chrystia Freeland to seek Liberal nod for Toronto Centre — A senior editor at an international media organization will seek the Liberal nomination for the downtown Toronto riding vacated by Bob Rae. — Chrystia Freeland, a former manager and writer at The Globe and Mail …

Discussion: @zacbissonnette, @mickimaynard, @joshgreenman, @rachelsklar, @mipolitico, @nytfridge, @jbarro, @thelist, @mattyglesias, @jstanghini and @daveweigel

Jack Mirkinson / The Huffington Post:

Press Conditions In Bradley Manning Trial Compared To Libya — Tensions continued to flare between the military and journalists covering the closing arguments in the Bradley Manning trial on Friday. — On Thursday, journalists reported that armed military officers were walking the aisles …

Discussion: @carwinb, Firedoglake, Techdirt and Boing Boing

Associated Press:
Bradley Manning's defense attorney says soldier is a whistleblower who wanted to inform public

Discussion: Associated Press, @edpilkington, @edpilkington, @carwinb, Guardian, Wall Street Journal, RT, Reuters and Los Angeles Times

Brian Fung / Wonkblog:
Why Bradley Manning's court-martial matters for civilians

Discussion: Guardian, Kirk LaPointe's … and Christian Science Monitor

Robert Channick / Chicago Tribune:

WBEZ president Torey Malatia resigns — Torey Malatia, the longtime general manager of public radio station WBEZ-FM 91.5, is resigning his post effective Friday. — He announced his decision in a joint statement issued by parent organization Chicago Public Media, where he served as president and CEO.

Discussion: @davidfolkenflik, Change of Subject, @billadairduke, @rsamer, @rsamer, @theboxfactory, @kairyssdal, @robertfeder and Current.org

Stuart Kemp / Hollywood Reporter:

BBC Veteran Stuart Hall's Sentence for Sex Offenses Doubled — Court of Appeal judges have increased his time in prison to 30 months, after critics complained he “got off lightly” after admitting to crimes against young girls. — LONDON — The sentence of 15 months in prison …

Discussion: Mirror.co.uk, Telegraph, The Independent, Guardian and BBC

Tom Kludt / Talking Points Memo:

Glenn Greenwald To Testify Before Congress — A congressional hearing next Wednesday on the National Security Agency's surveillance efforts will include testimony from critics, including the journalist who first reported on the programs. — Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) told The Guardian …