Top News:
Gabe Bullard / Nieman Reports:
As more people use voice-activated smart speakers to request news, publishers are turning newscasts into conversations, challenging the foundations of radio — Smart speakers are challenging the foundations of radio, and news outlets are racing to find a place on the platform
Discussion:
@isalara, @niemanlab, @gnelsoncenter, @kelseyproud, @jypyk, @niemanlab, @niemanlab, @gbullard, American Press Institute and NPR
John Williams / New York Times:
Interview with Erin Lee Carr about her new book, All That You Leave Behind, exploring her relationship with her father, journalist David Carr — Carr's new memoir, “All That You Leave Behind,” documents her relationship with her father, the former Times reporter and columnist David Carr …
Discussion:
@raisingrippers, @raymondpsimon, @jswatz, @erinleecarr and @bryanmarquard
Emily Bell / The Guardian:
Facebook and Google have placed op-eds and dozens of paid “native ad” articles across major publications, amid other media efforts, to steer future regulations — Three years on from the US election, tech firms are seeking rules that won't hit their profits
Discussion:
@stedavies, @janebsinger, @mediaguardian, New York Post and New York Times
Nico Lang / Columbia Journalism Review:
Interview with Andy Towle, founder and EIC of LGBTQ news site Towleroad, on its origins before social media, how it has survived, and its evolving news approach — Towleroad began as a hobby. An LGBTQ news site, it was started in 2003 after its founder and editor-in-chief, Andy Towle, left Genre, a gay lifestyle magazine.
Discussion:
@sarphanuzunoglu, @cjr, @msignorile and @hemantmehta
Kytja Weir / @kytja:
[Thread] How Publici and Gannett partnered on tech to analyze state-level legislation, revealing the extensive role special interests had in writing bills — A tale of journalism innovation and collaboration: Several years ago, the @Publici state politics team started to realize there were a lot of special interests pushing copycat bills state-by-state.
Discussion:
@jsmithhopkins, @twallack and @abalcerzak
BBC:
UK whitepaper proposes “code of best practice” for how internet platforms should deal with harmful content, suggests expanding liability to tech company execs — Internet sites could be fined or blocked if they fail to tackle “online harms” such as terrorist propaganda and child abuse, under government plans.
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal, CNN, Washington Post, @vranicawsj, The Guardian, Bloomberg and @cjsnowdon, more at Techmeme »
Lesley Goldberg / Hollywood Reporter:
While studios offer showrunners money from syndication and ads, value is not as quantifiable on streaming services whose advances and buyouts inflate contracts — Rank-and-file scribes may be struggling, but at the other end of the spectrum, superstar talents like Shonda Rhimes and Greg Berlanti …
Discussion:
EW.com
Jason Kint / Nieman Lab:
Survey: fewer than 50% of US adults expect Google to collect data on users' activities on its platforms or apps, track personal browsing for ad targeting, more — Numerous privacy scandals over the past couple of years have fueled the need for increased examination of tech companies' data tracking practices.
Discussion:
@eff, @niemanlab and Digital Content Next
Columbia Journalism Review:
25 years after the Rwandan genocide, the country has made progress in building a legal framework for press freedom but continues to be wary of journalism — April 7 marks 25 years since the start of the Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Since then, the Rwandan government has had a complex relationship with the press.
Jacob Bacharach / New Republic:
After spending its early years searching for an identity, a look at MSNBC's narrow, left-wing focus on Trump's scandals to the exclusion of any other news — On January 31, Rachel Maddow, the eponymous host of The Rachel Maddow Show, returned from a commercial break.
Discussion:
@jackshafer, @newrepublic, @patblanchfield, @newrepublic, @newrepublic, @newrepublic, @amandamarcotte, @newrepublic, @jakebackpack, @newrepublic, @ggreenwald and Mediaite
Lesley Goldberg / Hollywood Reporter:
The creators of HBO's Westworld, Lisa Joy and Jonah Nolan, are leaving Warner Bros. TV to join Amazon, in what sources estimate is a deal worth $30M+/year — Lisa Joy and Jonah Nolan have exited their home at Warner Bros. TV but will remain involved with the HBO genre drama.
Discussion:
The A.V. Club, @deadline, Vanity Fair, @sharontalyguado, Deadline, Engadget, /Film and The Verge
Julia Alexander / The Verge:
YouTube, which used to highlight and promote independent creators, is shifting toward more commercial, advertiser-friendly content as it battles misinformation — Danny Philippou is mad. — He's practically standing on top of his chair as his twin brother and fellow YouTube creator Michael stares on in amusement.
Discussion:
@normankarel, @glenngabe, @pejames, @arabellabreck and @cartoonbrew