Top News:
Rachael Bade / Politico:
Sources: Attacks from Breitbart and other pro-Trump bloggers and media personalities are having a chilling effect on discourse within the Republican Party — Lawmakers are loath to say anything remotely critical, fearful they might set off the president-elect or his horde of enforcers.
Reuters:
Sources: Viacom executive Doug Herzog, who oversaw Comedy Central and MTV, is leaving in restructuring after the appointment of Bob Bakish as Viacom CEO — Longtime Viacom Inc (VIAB.O) executive Doug Herzog, who oversees the networks Comedy Central and MTV, is expected to leave the company next month …
Alexandra Steigrad / WWD:
Sources: Jared Kushner is trying to sell the New York Observer, with National Enquirer parent American Media rumored to be a potential buyer — According to insiders, Kushner has been quietly shopping the Observer to potential buyers. — Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump at the Met Gala, May 2016.
Pamela Engel / Business Insider:
After granting an interview to STAT News, Trump's doctor told reporter Ike Swetlitz he'd never work again if the story were published — President-elect Donald Trump's doctor recently gave an interview to a health publication and then threatened to end the reporter's career if he published it.
Discussion:
STAT, FishbowlDC, Mediaite, @oliverdarcy, ABC News, AOL, New York Magazine, @ericgeller, @kagrox, @dataeditor, @sopandeb, Washington Post, Jezebel and The Week
Tony Connelly / The Drum:
Vice removes its comments sections; in a post, Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Smith said too often, the sections devolved into racist and misogynistic abuse — Vice has revealed that it is taking the bold step of removing the comments sections from its online platforms, citing a lack of time or desire to continue monitoring “crap”.
Discussion:
Mediaite, @mathewi and @alexckaufman
Stephen Battaglio / Los Angeles Times:
Sources: Katie Couric will fill in as co-anchor on NBC's Today Show for one week from January 2, alongside Matt Lauer, covering Savannah Guthrie — Katie Couric, shown last January, was co-anchor of “Today” from 1991 to 2006. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Discussion:
TVNewser, Hollywood Reporter, Variety, @jpodhoretz and @brianstelter
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Disney-ABC to produce several original series for Snapchat, in bid to target younger viewers, starting with an after-party show for The Bachelor, debuting Jan 3 — Snapchat has pulled Disney-ABC Television Group into its expanding original programming orbit, with the parties setting …
Discussion:
VentureBeat, The Wrap, Adweek, Broadcasting & Cable, Vanity Fair and Fortune
Kelsey Sutton / Politico:
Poll: 49% of Trump voters believe it should be easier to sue the media, with 38% also supporting cuts to federal spending on media — Around half of self-identified Donald Trump voters said in a survey this week that courts should make it easier for public figures to sue the media.
Discussion:
@lexalexander, @nedrapickler, @christoronyi, @aphoenixalice, Mediaite, Refinery29 and FishbowlNY
Amanda Hess / New York Times:
A look at different types of political bots on Twitter: many spread propaganda or seek to defame certain goups, but some fight disinformation or hunt imposters — Some robot accounts protest; others expose racists; and at least one — aimed at people looking for a fight — keeps them busy talking to a brick wall.
Discussion:
@amy_siskind, @pierre, @amandahess, @davidakin, @jonnysun and CNET
David W. Dunlap / New York Times:
A nostalgic look at the historical role of copy editors at The New York Times, as some copy desks cease to exist — Times Insider shares historical insights from The New York Times. — Times journalists are fearless when they hear statements like “Trump says he's going to sue you” or …
Discussion:
@nahyutas, @svaradarajan, @shekhargupta, @timesinsider and @sudeepshree
Tom Standage / Press Gazette:
Economist Deputy Editor and Digital Strategy Chief Tom Standage: We expect display advertising to have disappeared by 2025 — Economist deputy editor and digital strategy head Tom Standage on why news publishers need to say goodbye to advertising... The majority of our revenue (65 per cent and rising) comes from circulation.
Discussion:
@tomskitomski, Thanks:@steverubel
New Jersey Online:
Vote on Christie's “newspaper revenge bill” postponed as it fails to find enough support among NJ lawmakers; Christie's office says it remains a key priority — TRENTON — In a stunning defeat for Gov. Chris Christie, state lawmakers on Monday blocked a pair of controversial bills …
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com, The New York Observer, NorthJersey.com, Free Press Blog, NJ Spotlight, Vanity Fair and New York Magazine