Mediagazer: In email to members, WGAE says it “put a pause” on organizing new digital newsrooms, as debate grows over its membership and whether to accept more journalists (Angela Fu/Poynter)

11:50 PM ET, July 30, 2021

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Angela Fu / Poynter:

In email to members, WGAE says it “put a pause” on organizing new digital newsrooms, as debate grows over its membership and whether to accept more journalists — At issue is whether the union, which has primarily represented screenwriters in the past, should take on more journalists

Discussion: @jamieson, @imillhiser, @mclendaniel, @grimkim, @clairelizzie, @jessicaschulb, @outonalumb, @jackmirkinson, @rick_carp, @mattdpearce and @ashleyfeinberg

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Amanda Meade / The Guardian:

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The Guardian:
News Corp Australia's Daily Telegraph ended a regular column from broadcaster Alan Jones, amid controversy over his COVID-19 and anti-lockdown comments

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Freddie deBoer:

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Gavin Bridge / Variety:

Analysis: so far in 2021, streaming services have released 512 new shows, up 86% on 2019, led by Netflix, as cable networks released 453, down 28% — One of the most bandied about industry phrases of the last decade was “peak TV,” the phenomenon of the seemingly limitless growth of original content on television.

Discussion: @pkedrosky

Ted Johnson / Deadline:

Disney mandates vaccinations for all salaried and non-union hourly employees working at any of its US sites and is talking with unions about vaccinations — The Walt Disney Co. has added its name to the growing list of major corporations mandating that employees to be fully vaccinated.

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Sarah Bahr / New York Times:

Study: films and TV shows with disability themes rose from 41 in 2000 to 150 in 2020, but 95% of disabled characters are played by actors without disabilities — The study published Wednesday also showed that television is far behind film when it comes to representation of characters with disabilities.

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Anna Nicolaou / Financial Times:

A look at the debate over Spotify's Discovery Mode, whereby artists are prioritized for reduced royalties, a key way for Spotify to improve margins — Executives complain Discovery Mode is payola while one Texas frontman sees it as future — The Josh Abbott Band, formed by a group …

Discussion: @mrtomgray, @tedgioia and @annaknicolaou

Kelly McBride / NPR:

New NPR ethics policy ends a blanket ban on journalists participating in marches or rallies, but in practice requires them to discuss specific cases with bosses — NPR rolled out a substantial update to its ethics policy earlier this month, expressly stating that journalists may participate …

Financial Times:

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