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Leaked images from 2019 show Google considered a feature that let users tip money to websites like Wired or NYT as part of its Contributor program — Leaked images obtained by TechCrunch reveal that Google considered and designed a feature that would let people donate money to websites …
Discussion:
Android Central, @joshconstine, @joshconstine, @joshconstine and @tedgioia, more at Techmeme »


A group of 75+ scholars and non-profits urges social media companies to preserve data on content removal during the pandemic and make it available for research — The data provides an ‘unprecedented opportunity’ — A group of scholars and nonprofit organizations have asked web platforms …
Discussion:
@epirkova, @accessnow, @zeynep, @mollyjongfast, @holden and @aaronmiller


Google to require all advertisers to verify their identities, starting in the US; existing advertisers will have 30 days to complete the verification process — - Google began requiring political advertisers wanting to run election ads on its platform to verify their identity back in 2018.
Discussion:
The Keyword, Adweek, @markdistef, ZDNet, MediaNama, @jowyang, @martinwaxman, Gizmodo, @sarahguinee, @privacymatters, @tonia_ries, @nilrod, @tri_becca90, @cyberguerre, @luca, @associatesmind, @jeffjarvis, @jeffjarvis, @loupas, @alexweprin, New York Times, The Daily Dot, Search Engine Land, Ad Age and Beyond Search, more at Techmeme »


NYT, WaPo, NBC have once again opted for a both sides approach in their coverage of Trump's suggestion of ingesting disinfectant as coronavirus treatment — Last night, an increasingly desperate President went on live TV and advised that people might try ingesting disinfectant to cure COVID-19.
Discussion:
@jasonpatinkin, Vanity Fair, Talking Points Memo, @doctorow, Raw Story, Raw Story, @mattgoldberg, @ggreeneva, New York Times and @tusk81


Memo: NYT to temporarily stop printing its sports and travel sections in the Sunday edition, replacing them with At Home, focused on sheltering in place — With no major sporting events and barely any travel happening due to the coronavirus, The New York Times plans to stop printing hard copies …
Discussion:
@shukla_tarun, @rafat, @rafat and Skift


Report for America announces its 2020 corps, which comprises 225 journalists vs. 59 in 2019, to be placed in 162 outlets, and $2.5M in funding from Facebook — Report for America today announced the selection of 225 journalists for its 2020 reporting corps.
Discussion:
American Press Institute, Columbia Journalism Review, Nieman Lab, @niemanlab, @alexpshorts, @mcclatchy, @block_m3, @jengriffinfnc, @kenwardjr, @madsburk, @jesskorina, @jakewittich, @searchlightnm, @bensessoms, @mohamed1brah1m, @ansarihibah, @_owendaugherty, @deasia_paige, Raleigh News & Observer, @syraob, @byfernandas, @laurenmpeace, @acaciatree18, @pfannyyy, @craignewmark, @mlcalderone, @jason_w_white, @mikeviimusic, @abbeymarshall, @zoemjack, @stevenwaldman, @groundtruth, @poynter, @groundtruth, @hberkes, @sbodine120, @benyt, @annaliznichols, @iowapublicradio, @douglassoule, @wypr881fm and @mathewi


Minnesota's Eden Prairie News and Lakeshore Weekly News close; they were among the 11 papers Alden's MNG acquired in February when it bought Red Wind Publishing — The two papers cover the Lake Minnetonka and Eden Prairie areas. — Two west metro newspapers are the latest victims …
Discussion:
SWNewsMedia.com


Executive Media launches MagBox, a subscription-based bundle of five niche magazines from different independent publishers, mailed every two months for $40/year — Unlike most mass-market magazine publishers, whose print books generally depend far more on subscriptions and advertising revenue …
Discussion:
@foliomag and @glecharles


Universal Pictures seals a 5-year exclusive deal with LEGO Group for film development, production, and theatrical distribution — EXCLUSIVE: Universal Pictures has completed a five-year exclusive deal with the LEGO Group that will lead to the development, production and theatrical distribution …
Discussion:
Gizmodo, The Wrap, @drewtailored, ComingSoon.net, Fortune, /Film, Hollywood Reporter and Comic Book Movie


In Q1, revenue for Verizon Media, which includes HuffPost and TechCrunch, came in at $1.7B, down 4% YoY, due to the decline in ad rates — Verizon posted first-quarter 2020 revenue of $31.6 billion, down 1.6%, citing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic for the miss on Wall Street expectations.


Q&A with Pradeep Dwivedi, CEO of Eros International's India division, about its STX Entertainment merger, accusations of accounting irregularities, and more — Pradeep Dwivedi says the two companies can complement each other in a bid to expand in India, appeal to Chinese sensibilities and compete with the streamers.


NPR's new public editor Kelly McBride, formerly at Poynter, reflects on the outlet's strength helping people navigate news that so often induces rage and sorrow — Within a single hour last week, while listening to Morning Edition, I was first charmed by a delightful conversation between Peyton and Lola …
Discussion:
@nprpubliceditor, @michael_rubino, @daverdman, @benmullin, @emilyzfeng, @craignewmark, @nprpubliceditor, Poynter, @deggans and @arishapiro