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Syria, France most deadly countries for the press — Of 69 journalists killed for their work in 2015, 40 percent died at the hands of Islamic militant groups such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State. More than two-thirds of the total killed were singled out for murder.
Discussion:
Committee to Protect …, Guardian, Politico, Associated Press, Associated Press, RAPPLER, New York Times, MediaShift, Mashable, The Independent, Business Standard, TheJournal.ie, @journonotacrime, Newsweek, @pressfreedom, The Wrap, International Business Times, Al Bawaba, The Australian, Voice of America, UPI, BBC, FishbowlNY, Guardian, Broadcasting & Cable, @pressfreedom, @williamsjon, Agence France-Presse, Radio Free Europe/Radio …, RisingKashmir, Hindustan Times, DW.COM, International Business Times, The Week, The Week, BuzzFeed, Associated Press, The Huffington Post, New York Times, DW.COM and BBC
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110 journalists killed in 2015: at least 67 while reporting or because of their work, 43 others in unclear circumstances or motives — RSF annual round-up: 110 journalists killed in 2015 — At least 67 killed while reporting or because of their work; RSF condemns failure to protect journalists …


Twitter cracks down on harassment by rearranging paragraphs in its terms of service — In the wake of former CEO Dick Costolo admitting the company “suck[s] at dealing with abuse,” Twitter has devoted many blog posts to explaining how seriously it takes the issue.
Discussion:
The Independent, The Twitter Blog, CNNMoney, Gizmodo, CNET, The Independent, The Next Web, Wired.co.uk, DW.COM, CBS News, Reuters, Marketing Land, VatorNews, Daily Mail, IOL, @marklittlenews, Digital Spy, @twitterau, USA Today, Gigaom, Mashable, Engadget and RT


Facebook tests multiple, topic-based feeds on its mobile app in place of one main News Feed, also tests wider rollout of Marketplace feature with its own tab — Facebook is testing multiple news feeds on mobile — Facebook is testing multiple, topic-based feeds on its mobile app in place of one main News Feed.
Discussion:
@jasonwstein, Adweek, TIME, Seeking Alpha, Engadget, Ubergizmo, @joneszz, The Next Web, Mashable, The Drum and Tech2


In farewell, veteran Washington Post reporter Walter Pincus says rush to be first is leaving facts behind, newsmakers have become better at influencing media — A farewell to The Washington Post — For more than 40 years I have been lucky enough to be part of The Washington Post.
Discussion:
@wsjsolomon, @alexweprin, @hadas_gold, @aodespair, @athertonkd, @jenhoward, @mlcalderone, @moisesnaim, @derekwillis and @jayrosen_nyu


Facebook fights skepticism from net neutrality advocates over its Free Basics program in India — Facebook Confronts The Free Internet Neutrality Dilemma — What's more important? Restricted free Internet access for the poor? Or maintaining an open, neutral Internet without limitations?
Discussion:
Times of India, Scroll.in, Guardian, Forbes, The Wire, The Hill, India Blog on The …, Tech2, @tanusreejain, mid-day, IBNLive, AndroidHeadlines.com, International Business Times, DW.COM, IBNLive, Metro.co.uk, Breitbart, Hindustan Times, ZDNet, The Indian Express, The Indian Express, IBNLive, NDTV News, @mittermaniac, @nitin, Business Insider, @shl, Forbes, TIME, BuzzFeed, Tech2, The Verge, Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Quartz, The Economic Times, StoryPick, @kevinroose, @joshconstine, Save the Internet, Fortune, @janchip, @rafat, Techdirt, CNNMoney and Bloomberg Business


IAB has reservations about parts of FTC native ad guidelines; task force will hold closed-door meeting on January 5 — The IAB Is ‘Concerned’ About The FTC's New Native Advertising Rules, but Publishers Play It Cool — Publishers Aren't Traditionally the FTC's Focus
Discussion:
IAB, @margieontheweb, Wall Street Journal and Folio


Nevada gaming regulators monitoring Adelson Review-Journal buy — State gaming regulators are monitoring the issues surrounding the purchase of the Las Vegas Review-Journal by the family of Sheldon Adelson, the majority shareholder in casino giant Las Vegas Sands Corp.
Discussion:
WGBH News, Reuters, Washington Post, Media Nation and @marcacaputo


Spotify sued over mechanical rights that cover songwriters' royalties for reproduction of a musical work — David Lowery Sues Spotify for Copyright Infringement — Spotify has been sued for copyright infringement in a case that accuses it of failing to properly license songwriting rights in the United States.
Discussion:
CNNMoney, The Verge, Billboard, Tennessean.com, International Business Times, news.spotify.com, The Wrap, Ars Technica, Reuters, Fortune, BuzzFeed, Guardian, Pitchfork, Gizmodo, RAIN News, Vulture, Consumerist, Rolling Stone, Ubergizmo, @nytimes, Athens Daily News, The Hill, Maxim, Plagiarism Today, NPR, @sterlewine, Fast Company, XXL Mag, The Huffington Post, AllAccess.com, all, AndroidHeadlines.com and Stereogum


A conversation about Facebook's responsibility, and self-interest, in distributing news to keep people well-informed — Why is the media so afraid of Facebook? — This year, in lieu of the traditional Best Of Lists, we thought it would be fun to throw our editors and writers into a draft together and have a conversation.
Discussion:
@caseynewton, @isaac_rowe1, @klobomedia and @gaberivera


Advertising Standards Authority: Michelin advertorial on Telegraph website ‘not obviously identifiable as such’ — An advertorial for Michelin tyres has been banned in its original form for claiming that the premium brand is safer in wet conditions than budget competitors.
Discussion:
Guardian, Forbes and Financial Times


Rebekah Brooks and other members of UK's media and politics clique, the Chipping Norton Set, rebuild reputations and network after phone-hacking scandal — The Chipping Norton Crew Is Back — “It's hard to describe how good it feels to be home.” That's what Rebekah Brooks wrote …
Discussion:
Press Gazette