Top News:
Alexios Mantzarlis / Poynter:
There are 96 fact-checking projects in 37 countries, new census finds — The latest census of fact-checking and promise-tracking initiatives shows 96 such projects currently operating in 37 countries (highlighted in green below). This is a 50 percent increase compared to the 2015 census.
Discussion:
Duke Reporters' Lab, USA Today, @reporterslab, @brianstelter, @billadairduke, @butchward and @niemanlab
Shan Wang / Nieman Lab:
Jose Antonio Vargas is launching #EmergingUS outside the L.A. Times, aiming to crowdfund $1M — “Five years ago, I took the biggest risk of my life. Last year, I made a film called White People. In 2016, I want to talk about us,” the voice of journalist and activist Jose Antonio Vargas announced …
Discussion:
Beacon, The Huffington Post, @joseiswriting, @eliseneal, @ianmnelson95, @ramsammy, @jbenton, Poynter and LA Observed
Colin Lecher / The Verge:
FCC votes 3-2 to proceed with plan to give customers more choice over cable TV set-top boxes; proposal now moves into comment period — The FCC just took the first big step toward changing the cable box business — In a three-to-two vote, the FCC has decided to move ahead with a proposal …
Discussion:
Mashable, Ars Technica, Variety, Washington Post, Broadcasting & Cable, Digital Trends, @b_fung, Fast Company, Fortune, Philly.com, Hollywood Reporter, @macworld, Techdirt, SiliconBeat, MacRumors, ZDNet, Talking New Media, Multichannel News, Multichannel News, AppleInsider, Forbes, KIRO, The Hill, UPI, Los Angeles Times, Gizmodo, Re/code, Deadline, Deadline, mprnews.org, Reuters, Public Knowledge and NPR
George Slefo / Ad Age:
Sources: Google's AMP initiative to speed mobile pages to launch Wednesday, with Wall Street Journal, BuzzFeed, and Washington Post among those participating — Official Launch Date for Google AMP Confirmed — Google's Accelerated Mobile Pages Is Launching Feb. 24, Ad Age Has Learned
Discussion:
AdExchanger, Search Engine Land and American Press Institute
Drip:
Drip, which provided subscription services and communities for musicians and fans, announces it will close on March 18 — A Letter from the Founders of Drip — We have a tough message to share today: We've decided to conclude the Drip platform on March 18.
Discussion:
@om, @valenti, @philipsherburne, @aten, @zackshave, @simoncarless, @drip, @skullcat, @valenti, Pitchfork and FACT Magazine
Dawn Chmielewski / Re/code:
Vevo CEO Erik Huggers says company is working on a paid music video subscription service, could launch this year — Vevo Is Working on a Paid Music Video Subscription Service (Video) — The Internet's dominant music video service is working on a subscription offering.
Discussion:
Billboard, Pocket-lint, Tubefilter, Engadget, TechSpot, Music Week, Fortune, RAIN News, The 405, Music Week, Music Week, StreamDaily, Advanced Television, Complete Music Update, The Wrap, Consumerist, FACT Magazine, BBC, Associated Press, Music Business Worldwide, ZDNet, Variety, sbs.com.au and Ubergizmo
Ricardo Bilton / Digiday:
BBC is using anonymous location-based chat app Yik Yak to engage with readers in special coverage of mental heath issues — How BBC is using Yik Yak to talk to millennials (and get them to talk back) — BBC has already experimented with Whatsapp, WeChat and Line in an effort to reach readers on the apps they're already using.
Discussion:
@schmalie
Elspeth Reeve / New Republic:
How Tumblr's teen comedy geniuses find fame, build audiences, outsmart ad networks, strike it rich, then lose it all, without adults ever noticing — The Secret Lives of Tumblr Teens
Discussion:
@raphaelbw, @mollylambert, Boing Boing, @c_s_green, @ldavidson02, @elspethreeve, @dylanmatt, @imbadatlife, @nickbaumann, @laurenkozak, New York Magazine, Hit & Run and smays.com
Madeline Welsh / Nieman Lab:
Guardian compares covering dog show on Periscope and Facebook Live, finds more initial engagement on Periscope, more eventual reach on Facebook Live — What The Guardian learned from comparing Facebook Live and Periscope for event coverage — It was a dramatic night at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Discussion:
@gdnmobilelab and CBS 4
Gerry Shih / Associated Press:
New Chinese rule bans foreign companies from publishing online without state approval and licensing, requires mainland servers, starting March 10 — China requires approval for foreign firms to publish online … BEIJING (AP) — A new Chinese regulation announced this week …
Discussion:
Associated Press, Quartz, Tech in Asia and South China Morning Post
James Rainey / Variety:
Source: Nicole Seligman to step down as president of Sony Entertainment and Sony Corp. of America next month — Nicole Seligman Stepping Down as President of Sony Entertainment — Nicole Seligman, president of both Sony Entertainment and Sony Corp. of America, is stepping down from the twin posts …
Discussion:
Re/code, Los Angeles Times and Variety
Tom Dotan / The Information:
Yahoo shuts down Originals TV programming division, lays off its chief, Ian Moffitt — Yahoo Originals Department Shuttered — Yahoo's original programming division was laid off on Wednesday, including its head Ian Moffitt. The move, which happened during company-wide layoffs …
Discussion:
Business Insider