Top News:
Jeremy Barr / Hollywood Reporter:
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey calls in to Fox News host Sean Hannity's radio show to defend his company, says Twitter does not shadow ban users based on politics — Twitter has not taken action against Jones, unlike Facebook, YouTube and other tech platforms. — Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey raised eyebrows …
Discussion:
@jack, @oneunderscore__, @delbius, @cwarzel, Twitter, The Independent, @cwarzel, Engadget, @sulomeanderson, @damemagazine, @vivian, @slpng_giants, @danpfeiffer, @rob_sheridan, @shannoncoulter, Fast Company, Business Insider, @cwarzel, @jeffjarvis, @jeffjarvis, CNBC, @oneunderscore__, CNET, @kateconger, @kateconger, @jason_kint, @mattdpearce and The Verge, more at Techmeme »
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Kara Swisher / New York Times:
Twitter needs a code of values requiring it to make tough calls on high-profile and malevolent figures like Alex Jones — The platform won't ban the dangerous liar Alex Jones because he “hasn't violated our rules.” Then what's the point of these rules? — This week, Alex Jones …
Discussion:
Contemptor and Fast Company, more at Techmeme »
Robert Channick / Chicago Tribune:
Sources: Tronc is weighing at least one private equity offer to buy its newspaper holdings, with a bid between $19 to $20 per share on the table — Bundles of Chicago Tribune Saturday editions are stacked for delivery at the Freedom Center, August 20, 2016, in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
Discussion:
CNNMoney, Bloomberg, @crepeau, @dangillmor, @katchicago, @heidistevens13, @stevedaniels27, @bhuang2012, @mattdpearce, @stevedaniels27 and @davidfolkenflik
Jason Guerrasio / Business Insider:
The Oscars reduces annual four-hour telecast to three to make it more “globally accessible” and introduces category for “popular” films, in bid to boost ratings — - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced changes to the 2019 Oscar telecast.
Discussion:
Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Vox, The Daily Beast, @aherman2006, The Wrap, @thr, @thrmattbelloni, @captmarvelnews, @9_volt_ and @ladyqird
Alan Feuer / New York Times:
In a defamation lawsuit against Alex Jones, four law professors who specialize in free speech argue how his false speech is not protected by the First Amendment — Not long after several of the country's biggest tech firms — namely Apple, Facebook and Google — kicked the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones off …
Discussion:
Salon, The Conversation and Splinter, more at Techmeme »
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BuzzFeed News:
Apple says Infowars podcast violated company's hate speech guidelines, but implies its app doesn't violate App Store guidelines
Apple says Infowars podcast violated company's hate speech guidelines, but implies its app doesn't violate App Store guidelines
Discussion:
MacRumors, 9to5Mac and The Verge, more at Techmeme »
Jon Levine / The Wrap:
Adam Weinstein resigns as acting EIC of military-focused site Task & Purpose after a clash about a headline on a VA story, says he was told to be less liberal — “As an editor, I was facing intense pressure,” Adam Weinstein tells TheWrap — Military-focused publication Task & Purpose …
Jaclyn Peiser / New York Times:
NYT reports Q2 profit of $24M, adds 109K subscribers, increasing total number of digital subs by 20% to 2.9M and generating $99M in revenue for the paper — The New York Times continued its digital growth in the second quarter of 2018, adding 109,000 digital-only subscribers.
Discussion:
Nieman Lab, Business Wire, The Wrap, Observer, @ksacknyt, @joenbc, @emilybell, @nytmedia, MediaPost, @peterbakernyt, @brodiefenlon, @oysterbaybomber, @niemanlab, @aisehman, @rasmus_kleis, @mathewi, @andrewessex, @adamsank, @ennisnyt, @mattyglesias, @andylassner, @palewire and @nickbryantny
Janko Roettgers / Variety:
Roku beats estimates in Q2 with revenues of $156.8M, up from $99.6M in Q2 2017, and net loss of $100K, as platform revenues grow 96% YoY to $90.3M; stock up ~9% — Ad-supported streaming continues to lift Roku's results: The company solidly beat market expectations with its Q2 2018 earnings …
Discussion:
Digiday, AdExchanger, Roku and Business Wire, more at Techmeme »
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Brent Lang / Variety:
21st Century Fox beats Q4 estimates with $7.94B in revenue, says it does not expect to host earnings call next quarter, hinting Disney merger may close by then — The box office success of “Deadpool 2” and the continued ratings strength of Fox News bolstered earnings at 21st Century Fox during the most recent financial quarter.
Discussion:
The Wrap, MediaPost, 21st Century Fox, Hollywood Reporter and CNBC
Benjamin Mullin / Wall Street Journal:
Axios has signed a deal with HBO to develop a series of news documentaries timed to the midterm elections — The show, titled ‘Axios,’ will focus on politics, technology and culture — Axios, the digital news startup known for concise stories, is about to go long—on TV.
Discussion:
Fast Company, Axios, @seangriffey, @jgreendc, @justin_b_smith, @owillis, @ssavitsky, @jbenton, @danprimack and @jimvandehei
Ted Johnson / Variety:
Sinclair and Tribune Media must decide by midnight whether to continue to pursue their $3.9B merger deal despite FCC's refusal to approve the transaction — WASHINGTON — Sinclair Broadcast Group and Tribune Media face a midnight deadline on whether to continue to pursue …
Discussion:
CNNMoney, Radio & Television … and MediaPost
Eriq Gardner / Hollywood Reporter:
WH Communications Director Bill Shine has settled a suit that claimed he leaked information to “sock puppet” media outlets to out a show's host as homosexual — Silas Pierce was to star on a reality show until Fox News executives learned something about him.
Discussion:
The Hill and @eriqgardner
Stefan Nicola / Bloomberg:
Profile of Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer, on his high-profile digital acquisitions like Business Insider, his missteps, and plans for future growth — Weaving past workers in orange vests and hard hats, Mathias Doepfner struts through what looks like a giant steel …
Discussion:
@mathewi