Top News:
Committee to Protect Journalists:
CPJ finds that police across Russia assaulted at least 8 journalists and detained at least 49 journalists who were covering pro-Navalny protests on January 23 — Russian authorities should allow journalists to cover protests freely and without fear, and refrain from attacking or detaining members …
Discussion:
@secblinken, New York Times, The Moscow Times, Slate, @pressfreedom, @pressfreedom and @rozen_j
Mike Fleming Jr / Deadline:
Apple acquires the film CODA at the 2021 virtual Sundance for a record-breaking $25M, above the $22.5M that Palm Springs received last year from Hulu — EXCLUSIVE: In the first big deal of the 2021 virtual Sundance Film Festival, Apple has landed worldwide rights to CODA, for a number just north of $25 million.
Discussion:
Variety, The Wrap, The Daily Beast, @brentalang, @lucas_shaw, @shoshannah7, @sianheder, Business Insider, @kylebuchanan, @mereschmere, @erickweber, Engadget, AppleInsider and IndieWire
Brian Stelter / CNN:
Rick Davis, a CNN staffer since its launch 40 years ago and now executive vice president of news standards and practices, retires Jan. 31 — New York (CNN Business)The longest-serving executive in the history of cable news is retiring, and CNN will never be the same. — Around the network he is known simply as Rick.
Vanessa Thorpe / The Guardian:
Sources: Boris Johnson is preparing to announce former Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre as chair of Ofcom, with a remit to target the BBC — For many who work in public service broadcasting, it is the nightmare that refuses to go away. Could Paul Dacre, former editor of the Daily Mail …
Discussion:
@thattimwalker, @stopfundinghate, @agnesfrim, @stigabell, @divinadecampo, @doubledownnews, @mrjamesob, @sarahludford, @jolyonmaugham, @ian_fraser, @socialm85897394, @conroy_bumpus, @dawnhfoster, @stayeuropean, @jaymotty, @jeffjarvis, @elliotelinor, @equusonthebuses, @paulbernaluk, @danwaddell, @dankaszeta, @eatlikeagirl and @marinanigrelli
Hamilton Nolan / Columbia Journalism Review:
Marty Baron earned respect in WaPo's newsroom, but events in the past year showed a need to nurture new voices that differ from the white DC media establishment — After eight years leading the Washington Post—the capstone on a nearly half-century career in journalism—Marty Baron announced this week that he will soon be retiring.
Lauren Harris / Columbia Journalism Review:
When hyperlocal newsrooms, like Vermont's Waterbury Roundabout, crop up in news deserts, they often lack a viable business model and resources for innovation — When the Waterbury Record ceased publication at the end of March, Waterbury, Vermont was on its way to becoming another news desert.
Discussion:
@cjr, @lharriswrites and @mustafatameez
Zeyi Yang / Protocol:
A look at Bilibili, the “YouTube for China”, as it balances competition and cooperation with Alibaba and Tencent, both of which invested in the video platform — “Should Bilibili keep expanding and become a larger player, their relationship with Tencent will surely deteriorate.”
Discussion:
@cnstorytellers, @zhugeex, @zeyiyang, @electricfuturey, @timgrieve, @protocol and @dwertime
Tim Lambert / WITF:
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 …
Gerry Smith / Bloomberg:
WWE's deal with Peacock is a sign that streaming will start to bundle like cable TV, as smaller services unable to grow audiences will sell to larger ones — - Analysts predict streaming market will consolidate like cable — Online network gives up solo effort to work with NBCUniversal
Discussion:
@blackamazon, @itswilltime, @davidbix, @davemeltzerwon, @wrestlenomics, @gerryfsmith, @gerryfsmith and @lucas_shaw
Lara O'Reilly / Business Insider:
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:
@sarthakgh, @carnage4life, @caseynewton, @reckless, @hkanji, @jason_kint, @kidkotok, @digitalshields, @richlightshed and @larakiara, more at Techmeme »
Kenneth R. Gosselin / Hartford Courant:
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:
@danielmorain, @courantguild and @agwilliamtong
Ray Schultz / MediaPost:
The Alliance for Audited Media launches an audit program for digital publishers to combat ad fraud, free to AAM clients through 2021 — The Alliance for Audited Media (AAM) has launched a third-party audit program for digital publishers in an effort to combat ad fraud and reassure media buyers that domains are legitimate.