Mediagazer: Sources: Gray Television withdrew its $8.5B offer to acquire Tegna because of concerns about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on US regional TV station operators (Reuters)

1:25 PM ET, March 18, 2020

Top News:

Jay Peters / The Verge:

Facebook says it has fixed a bug in its anti-spam system that marked some legitimate COVID-19 news articles and information as spam on Tuesday — The company is fixing the posts and bringing them back — Facebook started marking some posts linking to information and articles about the coronavirus …

Manish Singh / TechCrunch:

WhatsApp announces two initiatives to combat COVID-19 misinformation: an Information Hub in partnership with WHO and others, and a $1M grant to IFCN — Grappling with the spread of misinformation on the platform, WhatsApp today announced two initiatives to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussion: Adweek, The Guardian, Washington Post and About Facebook, more at Techmeme »

Sarah Scire / Nieman Lab:

Google News Initiative teams up with LION Publishers, UNC, others to launch Project Oasis, with the aim of helping local news startups at key stages of growth — So you want to start a digital news organization for your community. Where would you go to look up the ownership structure of your favorite local outlet?

Discussion: The Keyword, @lionpubs, @ckrewson, LION Publishers and TechCrunch

Jeff vonKaenel / SN&R Extra:

The Sacramento News & Review will suspend publication of its print edition next week and lay off nearly all of its staff, but will continue to post online — Over the last 30 years, we have financed SN&R with advertising, mainly from local businesses promoting social gatherings at concerts …

Discussion: Sacramento Bee, @bedwardstiek, @thisisreno, @chris_macias, @andyfurillo, @wordstospill, @captain_hooks, @chris_macias, @jackshafer, @nickmiller510, @genepark and @timothyorourke

Margaret Harding McGill / Axios:

TikTok announces the first members of its US content moderation committee, including experts in child safety, hate speech, and misinformation — TikTok on Wednesday unveiled a group of outside advisers with expertise in child safety, hate speech, misinformation and other areas that will help guide its content moderation policies.

Discussion: Newsroom | TikTok and TechCrunch, more at Techmeme »

Reuters:

Sources: Gray Television withdrew its $8.5B offer to acquire Tegna because of concerns about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on US regional TV station operators — (Reuters) - Gray Television Inc (GTN.N) has withdrawn its offer to acquire larger peer Tegna Inc (TGNA.N) …

Discussion: The Streamable

Freddy Mayhew / Press Gazette:

BBC announces new COVID-19 measures including making local radio stations hubs for helping the elderly, more educational content, pausing cuts to CBBC, more — The BBC has set out new changes to its output during the coronavirus pandemic, which include turning the One Show into a consumer programme for “all aspects of the crisis”.

Discussion: @stephenkb, @marinahyde, @scottygb, @scottygb, @jimwaterson, @scottygb, @jimwaterson, @scottygb and @scottygb

Megan Graham / CNBC:

Cannes Lions, the ad industry's major awards festival and conference originally scheduled for June 22, postponed until October — - The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the ad industry's major awards festival and conference held in France each summer, is postponing its June conference.

Discussion: Variety, Forbes, The Playlist, AdExchanger, @kerrymflynn and Business Insider

Katie Kilkenny / Hollywood Reporter:

Netflix postpones Netflix is a Joke Fest, its weeklong comedy festival, which was scheduled to begin in LA on April 27 — The Netflix Is a Joke Fest was initially set to run April 27-May 3 in Los Angeles and occupy around 20 venues. — Following the lead of organizations behind numerous …

Karlene Lukovitz / MediaPost:

Sling introduces Stay in & Sling!, a free service with access to streaming news channel ABC News Live alongside movies and shows for kids and families — Sling TV is looking to win some goodwill and attract new prospects for its paid streaming services by introducing a free …

Discussion: Broadcasting & Cable

Tim Baysinger / The Wrap:

Fox is buying ad-supported streaming service Tubi in a $440M cash deal; Tubi will remain a separate company with founder and CEO Farhad Massoudi staying on — Fox has acquired the ad-supporting streaming service Tubi in a $440 million cash deal. — Tubi will remain as a separate company …

Discussion: Wall Street Journal, The Streamable, Hollywood Reporter, @jbflint, Engadget, The Verge, @pkafka, @pkafka, @pkafka, AppleInsider, 9to5Mac, TechCrunch, Adweek, Variety, Deadline and MediaPost, more at Techmeme »

Abner Li / 9to5Google:

Google Discover users will now be able to report content as misleading or sensational, violent or repulsive, or hateful; the action isn't a removal request — Google today lets you control Discover by hiding stories and publications, as well as specifying interests.

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