Top News:
Betsy Reed / The Intercept:
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.
Discussion:
Gawker, CNNMoney, One Man & His Blog, @moneyries, Guardian, Mediaite, The Huffington Post, USA Today, @jktrotter, New York Daily News, Re/code, @robertfeder, @normative, @mattschiavenza, @weareyourfek, @jacobinism, @adamserwer, @sonnybunch, @lpolgreen, @mattaikins, The Daily Caller, iMediaEthics, Daring Fireball, @amandahess, @underoak, @raju, Mashable, @laura_nelson, Poynter, @nycsouthpaw, @laurenpelley, @onthemedia, @monkeycycle_org, @jessebrown, @lachlan, @hadas_gold, @craigsilverman, @timothys, @kelkord, @scottleadingham, @barryap1, @cashut, @palafo, @mlcalderone, @janelytv and Talking New Media
Hank Green:
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, New York Magazine, @mathewi, @caseynewton, VideoInk, Techly, BBC, Geek.com, Kotaku and Gizmodo
RELATED:
Sam Machkovech / Ars Technica:
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.”
Ken Yeung / VentureBeat:
Yahoo announces 15% staff cut, will close 5 overseas offices as part of “aggressive strategic plan”, $1.27B in quarterly revenue, up 1.5% YoY, beating estimates — Yahoo to lay off 15% of its workforce as part of ‘aggressive strategic plan’ — Yahoo (YHOO) announced plans today …
Discussion:
Business Wire, Forbes, TechCrunch, Deadline, The Wrap, Business Insider, Re/code, Reuters, Wall Street Journal, ZDNet, Daily Mail, Guardian, GeekWire, Tech Trader Daily, Variety, Reuters, @benfritz, Gizmodo, @jswartz, @dmac1, @dmac1, Talking New Media, Fortune, Benzinga and The Tell
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Kara Swisher / Re/code:
Yahoo says it's exploring strategic alternatives, plans $400M in cost cuts, asset sales that could bring in $1B+, — Yahoo for Sale, Says Yahoo, Finally Admitting the Obvious (Also Q4 Results!) — Who cares how Yahoo's business performed in its fourth quarter? — The main point: It's officially for sale.
Discussion:
Mashable, The Wrap, Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, @eringriffith, The Next Web, @digitalshields, @digitalshields and The Verge
Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:
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.”
Discussion:
SoundCloud, The Next Web, @soundcloud, The FADER, Complex, Engadget, The Verge, 9to5Mac and hypebot
Tatiana Siegel / Hollywood Reporter:
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.
Emily Steel / New York Times:
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 …
Discussion:
@timherrera, @miriamgottfried and @rafat
Jeff Sonderman / American Press Institute:
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
Amanda Connolly / The Next Web:
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.
Discussion:
@richnewton, @dangillmor, @loritodd, @mathewi, @petenonsense, CNET, CraveOnline, Look, Collider, EW.com, BelfastTelegraph.co.uk, The Express TribuneThe …, Digital Spy and Digital TV Europe
Daniel Holloway / The Wrap:
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:
FierceCable, Media & Entertainment and Hollywood Reporter
Greg Bensinger / Wall Street Journal:
Amazon plans to open “300 to 400” brick-and-mortar bookstores, according to CEO of mall operator General Growth Properties — Amazon Plans Hundreds of Brick-and-Mortar Bookstores, Mall CEO Says — Amazon.com is planning to open as many as 400 brick-and-mortar bookstores …
Discussion:
Fast Company