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The Intercept says reporter Juan Thomas fabricated quotes, used fake email accounts to impersonate people, including an alleged source, was on staff until Jan. — A Note to Readers — The Intercept recently discovered a pattern of deception in the actions of a staff member.
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Gawker, CNNMoney, Guardian, Mediaite, @moneyries, USA Today, @jacobinism, @adamserwer, @sonnybunch, @lpolgreen, @jktrotter, @mattaikins, @monkeycycle_org, @timothys, @cashut, @scottleadingham, @kelkord, iMediaEthics, The Huffington Post, Talking New Media, Mashable, @palafo, @lachlan, @underoak, @amandahess, @laurenpelley, @jessebrown, @barryap1, @janelytv, @hadas_gold, @raju, Daring Fireball, @mlcalderone, @nycsouthpaw, @craigsilverman, Poynter, @laura_nelson and @onthemedia


YouTube stars Fine Brothers rescind plans to trademark terms and license assets related to their “react” videos after backlash — Fine Bros back down, rescind trademark claim on the word “react” — Claim was for “programs... in the field of observing, interviewing groups of people.”
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Fine Brothers controversy explained: how an ill-advised trademark activated a hateful internet mob, leading to 250K lost followers and capitulation — The Fine Brothers Controversy Explained — One of the largest YouTube channels in the world just lost over 250,000 subscribers. Why?
Discussion:
Ryan Morrison Law, VideoInk, @mathewi, New York Magazine, @caseynewton, Techly, BBC, Geek.com, Kotaku and Gizmodo


SoundCloud Gets Its Own Radio Feature With Launch Of “Stations” On iOS And Android — With opportune timing, given Apple's decision to put its curated iTunes Radio stations behind a paywall, music streaming service SoundCloud today launched its own take on continuous, lean-back listening with the debut of “Stations.”
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SoundCloud, The Next Web, @soundcloud, The FADER, Complex, Engadget, The Verge, 9to5Mac and hypebot


Yahoo beats estimates with $1.27B in quarterly revenue, up 1.5% YoY, announces 15% staff cut, closing 5 overseas offices as part of “aggressive strategic plan” — Yahoo to lay off 15% of its workforce as part of ‘aggressive strategic plan’ — Yahoo (YHOO) announced plans today implement …
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Business Insider, The Wrap, Re/code, Variety, Re/code, Reuters, @jswartz, @dmac1, @dmac1, The Verge, Talking New Media, Tech Trader Daily, Fortune, Wall Street Journal and Benzinga


Studios reexamine strategy as Netflix and Amazon shift Sundance focus to streaming rights instead of theatrical release, buy 6 high-profile films each — Sundance Wrap: Why Netflix and Amazon Dominance Matters — The streaming giants scored a combined 12 high-profile acquisitions.


Fox to cut spending on film, TV staff by $250M through voluntary buyouts — Fox Pursues $250 Million in TV, Film Staff Buyouts — Media giant 21st Century Fox is looking to cut spending on film and television staff by $250 million this year through buyouts.
Discussion:
Media & Entertainment, Variety and Hollywood Reporter


Instagram launches 28-part thriller series, Shield 5, posting 15-second clips daily — Instagram kicks off its very own 28-part thriller series — Instagram has made its first foray into the world of filmmaking, launching its very own 28-part thriller series.
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@loritodd, @richnewton, @mathewi, @dangillmor, @petenonsense, CNET, CraveOnline, Look, Collider, EW.com, BelfastTelegraph.co.uk, The Express TribuneThe …, Digital Spy and Digital TV Europe


Industry executives complain that Nielsen data does not reflect consumers' evolving viewing habits — Nielsen Playing Catch-Up as TV Viewing Habits Change and Digital Rivals Spring Up — Dennis Cheatham said he felt as if he were receiving a message from the past last May when a package arrived …
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@timherrera, @miriamgottfried and @rafat

American Press Institute paper on news as a product outlines best practices for the emerging role of product manager in news organizations — Best practices for product management in news organizations — News is a product. — Conceptually, that is a leap for people from traditional reporting and editing roles.
Discussion:
Nieman Lab, @david_arkin, @wloosen, @voxproduct, @sgraslie and @raju


PinkNews publishes stories removed from Google under ‘right to be forgotten’ — Homophobic comments by BBC star and drug-smuggling porn actor among stories that gay news site uploaded saying article-removal laws are censorship — Gay news site PinkNews has published a list of 19 stories …
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mUmBRELLA


Most online publishers hesitate to take action against ad-blockers for fear of upsetting readers — Why Most Websites Look the Other Way on Ad Blockers — Online publishers rage against ad blockers, but they're not doing much about them yet. — Randall Rothenberg doesn't want anyone …
Discussion:
Broadcasting & Cable