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Julia Angwin and Jeff Larson are starting The Markup, a news site to cover big tech using data science, with a $20M gift from Craig Newmark and other funding — The Markup, dedicated to investigating technology and its effect on society, will be led by two former ProPublica journalists.
Discussion:
TechCrunch, @jayrosen_nyu, @jameeljaffer, @juliaangwin, @jayrosen_nyu, @_hartsick, @jayohday, @sulliview, @jameeljaffer, @johnbattelle, @mer__edith, @craignewmark, @annaldavis1, @rafat, @loisbeckett, @mlcalderone, @aaschapiro, @justinelszasz, @dansinker, @mikeisaac, @vickynguyentv, @dangillmor, @loisbeckett and @cliffordlevy, more at Techmeme »

Sources: digital publisher Vox Media will struggle to achieve double-digit percentage revenue growth this year, likely missing its goal by more than 15% — Other digital-media firms have struggled to live up to ambitious growth goals in a challenging online ad market
Discussion:
@alexkoppelman, @benmullin, @jbenton, @mdudas, @jbenton, @benmullin, @rafat and @jrreed


Sources: Apple delayed launch of a streaming video service twice, most recently until March, and spiked a Dr. Dre series as it seeks less edgy content — The tech giant wants to make scripted shows for streaming, only without violence, politics and risqué story lines


UK's Takeover Panel says Comcast emerged as the highest bidder in the auction for Sky, offering $39B — Comcast Corp. offered 17.28 pounds per share in auction for Sky Plc, topping 21st Century Fox's bid at 15.67 pounds per share, the U.K. Takeover Panel announced in a statement on Saturday.
Discussion:
Variety, BBC, @sherman4949, TVWeek.com, New York Times, Sky News, @amolrajan, @msnabilaahmed, @sherman4949, @martinsfp, @sdkstl, @sherman4949, @marksweney, @jimwaterson, @skynewsbreak, @edmundlee, TechCrunch and The Wrap


Q&A: Amazon Prime Video India head Vijay Subramaniam on Indian content for worldwide audiences, sparking conversation, and passing on film production for now — Led by Vijay Subramaniam, the service has been aggressively ramping up its slate with a mix of fiction and unscripted shows …


CNN political commentator Jason Miller has left the network after court docs allege he secretly administered abortion pills to ex-lover; Miller denies claims — Pro-Trump CNN political commentator Jason Miller announced Saturday that he has “decided to step away” from the network …
Discussion:
@jasonmillerindc, Splinter, Deadline, @thegarance, @kyliesparks, @kath_krueger, @joshtpm and HuffPost


Sources: WPP is considering a merger between its digital-ad firm VML and Young & Rubicam, which WPP bought in 2000 for $4.7B — New CEO Mark Read is preparing to consolidate some of the ad giant's major properties to keep pace with the industry's digital shift


Michelle Guthrie has been fired as managing director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation; David Anderson is now acting managing director — Chairman Justin Milne says board resolved to seek ‘fresh leadership’ and thanks Guthrie for her service — Michelle Guthrie has been sacked …
Discussion:
The Guardian, Variety, The Guardian, Crikey, Mumbrella and Hollywood Reporter


Profile of Marc Randazza, a lawyer who advocates for the online free speech of clients that include neo-Nazis and white supremacists — The new speech wars are a push and pull between individuals, governments, and platforms. At the center of this is attorney Marc Randazza, fighting for Nazis, satanists, and unapologetic trolls.
Discussion:
@bernstein, @katienotopoulos, @rmac18, @atossaaraxia, @bernstein and The Verge


Sources: Ben Sherwood, president of Disney/ABC Television Group and Media Networks division co-chair, to leave Disney after 21st Century Fox deal is complete — Ben Sherwood is preparing to leave the Walt Disney Co. after Disney completes its acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
Discussion:
@rwmead, @dylanbyers, Hollywood Reporter and The Wrap


Interview with NYT reporter Michael Schmidt about evaluating and protecting sources in his latest story on Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein — In a blockbuster story in Friday's New York Times, Adam Goldman and Michael S. Schmidt reported that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein …
Discussion:
The Daily Beast, @bmaz, @sennettreport, @selina_y_wang, @andygrewal, @gadyepstein, @brianstelter, @kbandersen, @jswatz, @maggienyt, @nytmike, @pgourevitch, @nycsouthpaw, @biannagolodryga, Wall Street Journal, Mediaite, CNN and Vox


Study: spending on digital marketing grew by 44% last year in the US and Britain to $52B, with global spending on “martech” estimated to near $100B — FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Spending on digital marketing grew by 44 percent last year in the United States and Britain to $52 billion …