Top News:
Craig Silverman / BuzzFeed News:
Investigation finds a network of around 100 “local news” sites, dating back to at least 2015, that have been plagiarizing stories from major news organizations — As they stole stories from real newspapers, these sites baffled scientists, activists, and journalists. Until now.
Discussion:
American Press Institute, @marcacaputo, @eliothiggins, @walldo, @dpfunke and Boing Boing
The Daily Beast:
Internal Fox News research briefing advises colleagues to be wary of “disinformation” from several on-air regulars, including John Solomon and Rudy Giuliani — In a dossier obtained by The Daily Beast, Fox's research unit advises colleagues to be wary of “disinformation” …
Alex Sherman / CNBC:
Sources: ViacomCBS is building a new ad-supported streaming service that will build on CBS All Access, and an ad-free version that includes Showtime — - ViacomCBS is preparing to throw its hat into the streaming wars after consummating a merger on Dec. 31.
Discussion:
Adweek, CNN, /Film, Multichannel News, Gizmodo, Hollywood Reporter, @nickandmore, @mgsiegler, The Playlist, @acedtect, @frankpallotta, MacRumors, Digital TV Europe, IndieWire, @ashkan, @burnettrm, @lagana, @rwmead, @sherman4949, @tvgrimreaper, @thedanbarrett, @antovolk, @great_katzby, @brandolightshed, @azalben, @sherman4949, @richlightshed, @loudmouthjulia, Broadcasting & Cable, Variety, The Verge, MediaPost, 9to5Mac, The Streamable, The Wrap and Engadget, more at Techmeme »
Esther Kezia Thorpe / What's New in Publishing:
Thrillist partners with Academic Travel Abroad to curate educational trips, using travel to diversify revenue, like The Culture Trip and Lonely Planet — Food, travel and entertainment digital media site Thrillist is the latest publisher to move into travel packages as a way of diversifying revenue.
Discussion:
Group Nine Media, Forbes and MediaPost
Carolyn Said / San Francisco Chronicle:
The author of California's AB5 law says she'll seek amendments to remove restrictions on freelance journalists, cutting out the 35 article submission cap — The author of AB5, California's new gig-work law, said Thursday that she'll seek amendments that remove some restrictions …
Discussion:
Associated Press, @air_force_juan, @j_chien, Los Angeles Times, @rdotinga, @lorenasgonzalez and @lorenasgonzalez
Sara Fischer / Axios:
Since it began, Netflix has taken down nine pieces of content after govt requests: five in Singapore, and one in New Zealand, Vietnam, Germany and Saudi Arabia — Netflix has taken down just 9 pieces of content around the world in response to written government requests since it was founded 23 years ago …
Discussion:
Variety, The Verge, @eightiethmnt, @eightiethmnt, Engadget, Fast Company and The Next Web, more at Techmeme »
Josh Constine / TechCrunch:
Instagram has internally prototyped an Instagram Partner Program that will let IGTV creators earn money by showing ads alongside their videos — Instagram may finally let IGTV video makers earn money 18 months after launching the longer-form content hub. Instagram confirms to TechCrunch …
Discussion:
Adweek, The Next Web, @tailosivetech and Digiday, more at Techmeme »
NPR:
Public radio stations in CA partner with NPR to form a regional newsroom to increase coverage of statewide issues and reporting about and from underserved areas — Joanne Griffith introduced as the first managing editor of the collaboration, which aims to help to boost coverage throughout the state …
Discussion:
New York Times, @globaljourno and @lizzieohreally
Ingrid Lunden / TechCrunch:
Twitter Q4: revenue of $1.01B, up 11% YoY, net income of $119M, down from $255M in Q4 2018, monetizable DAU of 152M compared to 126M a year ago — As Twitter continues to try to find the right balance between making its platform easier to use while also less prone to toxicity and abuse …
Discussion:
Press Gazette, Variety, Adweek, MediaNama, The Guardian, iTnews, The Times, Sky News, Associated Press, Motley Fool, Fox Business, The Next Web, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, CNBC, MarketWatch, TheStreet, Reuters, Mumbrella, New York Post, VentureBeat, CNET, Wall Street Journal, Deadline, Hollywood Reporter, Business Insider, Fast Company and The Wrap, more at Techmeme »
Ad Age:
New York Times Magazine leads Ellies with 10 nominations, a record for the title; NY Magazine gets nine, Nat Geo eight, Bon Appetit and the New Yorker six each — The Times Magazine, New York Mag and Nat Geo shine in the finalist phase of the Ellies — A magazine published by a newspaper …
Discussion:
@emilybazelon, MediaPost, @jakesilverstein, @pamelacolloff, @bronwendickey, @jennydeluxe, @alexlaughs, Hollywood Reporter and Talking Biz News
Anthony Ha / TechCrunch:
Our.News, calling itself a “nutrition label for news”, offers bias ratings, labels, and details about specific articles via browser extensions and an iOS app — A startup called Our.News is working to make its users smarter consumers of the news.
Discussion:
@ourdotnews
Jon Allsop / Columbia Journalism Review:
Horserace coverage of the Iowa caucus debacle in the absence of clear, verified results only served to sow doubt about the integrity of the process — Last night, three days later than planned, we finally saw a full set of results from the Democratic caucuses in Iowa.
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