Mediagazer: WGA East files complaint with NLRB, accusing NBCU of union busting by reassigning staffers from unionized Peacock Productions, now defunct, to NBC News Studios (David Robb/Deadline)

1:40 PM ET, April 16, 2020

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David Robb / Deadline:

WGA East files complaint with NLRB, accusing NBCU of union busting by reassigning staffers from unionized Peacock Productions, now defunct, to NBC News Studios — UPDATED with NBCUniversal response, 1:49 PM: The WGA East today accused NBCUniversal of “union busting” in a dispute over the shuttering …

Discussion: VICE, Writers Guild of America … and Multichannel News

Steve Herman / Voice of America:

Trump calls Voice of America's work “disgusting”, threatens to adjourn Congress so he can appoint his candidates to posts, including head of the agency over VOA — WHITE HOUSE - U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to adjourn Congress because lawmakers have not approved …

Jason Lynch / Adweek:

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Megan Graham / CNBC:

IAB survey of 200+ US publishers: 98% expect lower 2020 revenue; 88% of news publishers had buyers ask to cancel campaigns and 86% said advertisers paused ads — - Most online publishers in the U.S. polled in a new Internet Advertising Bureau survey say they've had advertisers cancel or pause ad campaigns with them.

Jon Lafayette / Broadcasting & Cable:

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Gene Park / Washington Post:

Jason Schreier, who has covered work conditions in game development, is leaving Kotaku, citing dismay with G/O Media; Gizmodo EIC Kelly Bourdet quit Wednesday — Jason Schreier, a journalist known in the video game industry for covering working conditions inside tight-lipped game development studios …

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Josh Stearns / SSIR Blog:

New Jersey has allocated $2M in its budget for its local news funding bill, which called for $5M, and released $1M since January — In January, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy released $1 million in a groundbreaking effort to shore up local news across the state.

Discussion: @jcstearns, @rispolimike, @newsbyschmidt and DemocracyFund

Brian Steinberg / Variety:

NBC News tests a version of its Nightly News for kids and teens between 6 and 16, streaming on YouTube today and likely to appear at least twice a week — Lester Holt is about to discuss hard news with a softer touch. — The “NBC Nightly News” anchor will lead an experimental version …

Discussion: @bristei, @donlday, @david_schwab, @nbcnewspr, @rebel19, @loudmouthjulia, @alexweprin and TVNewser

Luke Ottenhof / The Guardian:

A look at Means TV, a worker-owned, leftist entertainment media cooperative supported entirely by its 3,700 subscribers, most of whom pay $10 per month — The entertainment media cooperative considers itself a ‘post-capitalist’ streaming service - and a critical counterweight to rightwing media

Discussion: @dogsectionpress

Freddy Mayhew / Press Gazette:

Google News Initiative launches The Journalism Emergency Relief Fund to aid small and medium-sized local news publishers globally — Google has launched a global emergency relief fund for local news publishers to help them during the coronavirus (Covid-19) downturn.

Dade Hayes / Deadline:

WarnerMedia says it reached a multi-year deal to bring HBO Max to Charter subscribers in May; current HBO subscribers will get access for no extra charge — In a significant milestone before it launches HBO Max next month, WarnerMedia has set a deal with Charter Communications …

Discussion: Broadcasting & Cable, Business Wire, CNET, The Streamable, Multichannel News, Hollywood Reporter and Variety

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