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Sources: Russian Internet Research Agency linked to one fake Twitter account and one fake Facebook account using “blacktivist” name; FB account had 360K likes — Russia bought Black Lives Matter ad on Facebook — A social media campaign calling itself “Blacktivist” …
Discussion:
EL PAÍS, The Daily Caller, The Guardian, The Hill, CityLab, The Week, The New York Observer, @jdakwar, Talking New Media, New York Times, The Root, Fast Company, @pierre and Fortune
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Sources: Facebook is sharing its data with Google as the search giant reviews potential Russian meddling in the 2016 election — Google is also set to meet with congressional investigators in the coming weeks. — Facebook has shared some details about the Russian-operated profiles …
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal, The Hill, New York Times, SiliconBeat and Marketing Charts, more at Techmeme »


Compared to other US natural disasters in the past few weeks, Hurricane Maria has had less coverage online and on TV — While Puerto Rico suffers after Hurricane Maria, much of the U.S. media (FiveThirtyEight not excepted) has been occupied with other things: a health care bill that failed to pass …
Discussion:
@emilybell, @corticoai, @redheadkxc, @paulkrugman, @mrdanzak, @elizabarclay, @crispinburke, @rjsevans, @_vanessa_diaz, @johnupton, @bencasselman and CNNMoney
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Reporters face damaged infrastructure, spotty electricity and phone service, and difficulty finding gas, food, and water while covering Puerto Rico — Reporting from Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria has been one of the toughest assignments for journalists …
Discussion:
TVNewser, Columbia Journalism Review, The Root, Fast Company, @atompkins, @espiegler, @joshuachavers, @michelletoh235, @amandadickson and The Week


ACLU challenges DoJ warrants for Facebook account information of users involved in anti-Trump protests, arguing the requests are overbroad — Three Facebook users are challenging newly disclosed search warrants for their account information, arguing that the warrants are overbroad …
Discussion:
CNN, LawNewz, Mashable, Slate, AOL, Gizmodo, The Wrap, Splinter, IJR, Engadget, ACLU of DC, Fortune, KTLA, New York Post and Fast Company

The First Amendment fails to protect speech from new tactics like information flooding and online harassment, especially when government aligns with trolls — The First Amendment was a dead letter for much of American history. Unfortunately, there is reason to fear it is entering a new period of political irrelevance.


DC firm FactSquared removes 15 hours of audio of Howard Stern interviews with Trump from YouTube, SoundCloud after DMCA notice, keeps transcripts on Factba.se — “This is the only public version of a massive quarter century trove of interviews.” — A Washington, DC startup that recently posted …
Discussion:
Techdirt and @johnmcquaid


China's Weibo announces it is hiring 1000 “supervisors” to censor content on the service — Weibo asks that each supervisor censor no less than 200 pieces of content per month — As Chinese authorities are fiercely cracking down on the internet, China's top social media platform Weibo doing its best to stay in line.
Discussion:
9to5Mac, Quartz, Reuters and The Standard, more at Techmeme »


Profile of Laura Kuenssberg, the BBC's political editor, who says she remains committed to impartiality while facing criticism from the left and right — Political editor has faced intense abuse over perceived bias - both leftwing and pro-Tory - but colleagues say she is ‘the ultimate pro’
Discussion:
@hkesvani, Press Gazette, @rachelh20257338 and New York Times


How private equity bears blame for newspapers' decline, buying up 679 properties since 2004 then squeezing for profit, selling assets, and laying off staff — As many as destroying America's hometown newspapers can buy him. — In 2013, a reclusive New York tycoon and his wife began buying …
Discussion:
@taylorwanderson, @dangillmor, @bruvs and @atompkins


Pope Francis plans to release a statement to help promote professional journalism and highlight the dangers of disinformation on January 24 — ROME - “Fake news” and journalism as a force for peace are the themes chosen by Pope Francis for the Church-sponsored World Day of Social Communications 2018.
Discussion:
Reuters, @inesanma, Variety and The Daily Caller


AT&T, CenturyLink, industry associations ask US Supreme Court to overturn Obama-era net neutrality rules barring ISPs from slowing or blocking rivals' content — Appeal adds to pressure on rule that FCC might weaken — Rule bars service providers from slowing some web traffic
Discussion:
The Verge, Multichannel News, Broadcasting & Cable, Recode, Techdirt and Free Press Blog