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Sources: Facebook is developing newsletter tools for journalists and writers, including tools to help build followers, curate email lists, and offer paid subs — Facebook is working on newsletter tools for journalists and writers, according to three people familiar with the company's plans …
Discussion:
@mikeisaac, The Verge, @kerrymflynn, @lorenzofb, @broderick, @1followernodad, MediaPost, Engadget, @econ_marshall, @prempanicker, @thekarachikid, @mattboggie, @leanderalphabet, @robpegoraro, @juddlegum, @prempanicker, @prempanicker, @lainnafader, @allen, @karaswisher, @benwerd, @bosefina, @chronotope, The Media Nut, @chrismoranuk, @prempanicker, @emilybell, @dellcam, @actioncookbook, @transscribe, @nezumi_ningen, @hannahgais, @davechensky, @sterlewine, @donie, @ndimichino, @arielbogle, @bradesposito, @ismh, @mgsiegler, @laurengoode and Business Insider, more at Techmeme »


Connecticut AG has sent a letter to Alden asking for info and expressing concern about its possible takeover of Tribune and the impact it would have on CT media — HARTFORD — Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is seeking more information from the hedge fund that is the largest shareholder …
Discussion:
@agwilliamtong and @courantguild


A family-owned group of 14 weekly NJ newspapers plans to convert to nonprofit ownership by the Corporation for New Jersey Local Media — In an effort to preserve and expand community journalism, the Corporation for New Jersey Local Media (CNJLM) today announced a letter of intent has been signed …


In 2019, participants on a NYT trip with reporter Donald McNeil Jr. complained he used racist and sexist language; a probe was conducted and he was reprimanded — The paper's top COVID reporter joined a group of students on a trip to Peru in 2019. Participants alleged he repeatedly made racist comments.
Discussion:
@elaheizadi, Washington Post, Politico, Make More Pie, Nieman Lab, New York Times, @sulliview, @b52malmet, @manishakrishnan, @breenewsome, Understandably, The Guardian, The Objective, @oz_f, @erikwemple, @craigsilverman, @juliacarriew, @noahshachtman, @froomkin, @sarahellison, @bgrueskin, @andizeisler, @dataeditor, @kerrymflynn, @bananapeele, @angryblacklady, @sorayamcdonald, @marika_writes_, @webster, @jljacobson, @erikwemple, @laikaspacedog, @lisang, @kendrawrites, @imillhiser, @blackamazon, @jakebackpack, @rgay, @feliciasonmez, @maxwelltani, New York Post, Mediaite and The Wrap


Verizon's media unit, which owns TechCrunch and Engadget, plans personalization features linked to Yahoo Mail, starting on sites like Yahoo News and Finance — - Verizon Media CEO Guru Gowrappan tells Insider the unit is preparing a “mega” product launch in the coming weeks.
Discussion:
@kidkotok, @digitalshields and @larakiara


Sources: Vivendi's Universal Music is looking to go public this year instead of in 2022; the label has been approached about going public via merger with a SPAC — World's largest record label seeks to capitalise on frothy stock market — Universal Music, the world's largest record label …


UK regional publisher Archant, now owned by PE firm Rcapital, furloughs staff on its regional magazines across the country for the next month — Archant has furloughed staff on its regional magazines across the country for the next month to help ease the impact of the latest lockdown on its finances.


Pennsylvania public radio station WITF says stories about lawmakers who supported the effort to overthrow the election will systematically identify them as such — - Scott Blanchard/StateImpact Pennsylvania — In the weeks leading up to the 2020 election, WITF's journalists worked …
Discussion:
@jayrosen_nyu, @witfnews, @witfnews and New York Times


Sports leagues should explore how to co-own rights with streaming services to reach wider audiences at a price more people are willing to pay — System of selling rights to pay-TV is under threat from services that promise a vastly bigger audience — Netflix has avoided live sports for good reason.
Discussion:
contextisking.com, @ashkan and @alexebarker


USAGM approves renewal of J-1 visas for foreign journalists working for VOA for the first time since June 2020 when Michael Pack took over — The new acting head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media this week approved several J-1 visa applications for foreign journalists working for Voice of America, one of the networks it oversees.
Discussion:
@jessicajerreat, @apmassaro3, @davidfolkenflik and @kaedotcom


UK minister called a HuffPost journalist's behavior “creepy and bizarre” and accused her of “sow[ing] distrust” after the latter emailed her asking for comment — An Equalities Minister has been accused of “absolutely extraordinary” behaviour after she criticised …
Discussion:
HuffPost, @kemibadenoch, @jessbrammar, @jessbrammar, The Guardian, @pressgazette, @dbanksy, @lpolgreen, @dbanksy, @lewis_goodall, @kemibadenoch and @kemibadenoch


Facebook says it will begin testing “topic exclusion” controls that would help advertisers stop running ads next to topics they want to avoid in News Feed — - Facebook is building tools to help advertisers keep their ad placements away from certain topics in its News Feed.
Discussion:
MediaPost, @lanceulanoff, @chrisharihar, Ad Age and Adweek, more at Techmeme »