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A group of 13 people made up of WaPo staff and families, including Afghan journalists, has left Kabul; the status of others who work for NYT and WSJ is unclear — A group of Washington Post employees, including Afghan journalists and their families, safely departed Kabul on Tuesday …
Discussion:
The New York Times Company, Poynter, Press Gazette, New York Times, @wsjpr, CNN, @nytimespr, Variety, Columbia Journalism Review, @iamamnanawaz, Wall Street Journal, The Full Belmonte, @rachelabramsny, @mviser, @goanand, @anniegowen, Wall Street Journal, The P Word, @ajvicens, @andrewrestuccia, @cliffordlevy, @oliverdarcy, @lara_korte, @nikkiusher, icfj.org and Vanity Fair
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In a statement to RSF, Taliban spokesperson says “journalists working for state or privately owned media are not criminals and none of them will be prosecuted” — Clearly choosing his words carefully at a time of the utmost concern for media personnel in Afghanistan …
Discussion:
Voice of America, @freedomofpress, @w7voa and International Press Institute


A New Yorker executive editor recounts trying and failing to get Tahir Luddi, an Afghan journalist who helped him escape the Taliban 12 years ago, out of Kabul
Discussion:
@rohded, @kim_barker, @jilliancyork, @benjamingoggin, New York Times, @sbg1, @marietjeschaake, @macariomx, @lrozen and @sarapekow


J2 Global, owner Mashable and IGN, is rebranding as Ziff Davis and has a $1B M&A budget, after spending $480M on deals in 2020 and earning revenue of $1.49B — Parent company J2 Global is being renamed after the century-old magazine publisher and will have $1 billion for buying up other companies
Discussion:
@seangriffey, @wsj, @davemorgannyc, @saschasegan and The Wrap


A look at the focus on disinformation by media, tech, and academic leaders, and how assumptions about disinfo effectiveness echo old media and advertising myths — In the beginning, there were ABC, NBC, and CBS, and they were good. Midcentury American man could come home after eight hours …
Discussion:
@benyt, @etbrooking, @mathewi, What's New in Publishing, @yoloethics, @noupside, @annisch, @willoremus, @annemariebridy, @willoremus, @kenvogel, @noupside, @rosiegray, @willoremus, @jemimajoanna, @black_action, @huge_reality, @escarry, @daveyalba, @theophite, @daveyalba, @kevinwglass, @bcmerchant, @bostonjoan, @mattyglesias, @noupside, @noupside, @brizzyc, @hshaban, @arielbogle, @dangainor, @daveyalba, @nkulw, @rosiegray, @samjsutton, @willoremus, @nkulw, @noahbuyon, @lionel_trolling, @tomgara, @laurawags, @johnarchibald, @neontaster, @nickconfessore, @omriceren, @chanders and @geniepee, more at Techmeme »


Sources: Forbes Media is in talks to go public via a merger with the Magnum Opus Acquisition SPAC, a deal that would value the company at $650M — - Media company had been in talks with GSV-led consortium — B.C. Forbes founded namesake business magazine in 1917
Discussion:
@techleaks24, SPAC Track, @deitaone and Talking Biz News


Hong Kong's public broadcaster, RTHK, partners with China Media Group to air more pro-Beijing shows, prompting worries about RTHK's editorial independence — BANGKOK - Plans by Hong Kong's public broadcaster to partner with Chinese state media have furthered fears that it is aligning closely with Beijing.
Discussion:
South China Morning Post and @jessicajerreat


OANN loses an appeal of a ruling that dismissed its defamation suit against MSNBC and Rachel Maddow and will be liable for about $250,000 in Maddow's legal fees — One American News (OAN) has faced another loss in their legal battle against MSNBC's Rachel Maddow.
Discussion:
Variety, The Daily Beast, Law & Crime, @oliverdarcy, The Wrap, Joe.My.God., The Hill, TVNewser and Barrett Media


Billboard partners with Logitech to launch Song Breaker Chart, giving monthly rankings of creators who are driving music consumption through their content — Billboard and Logitech For Creators, a brand extension of Logitech that helps all creators pursue their passions …
Discussion:
musically.com


Right-wing media outlets and elected US Republicans distorted phrases by CNN's Clarissa Ward in Kabul to imply that Ward and CNN were rooting for the Taliban — The political right has plenty to work with right now on Afghanistan. The withdrawal from that country has gone poorly …
Discussion:
@tedcruz, @cnnpr, @clarissaward, USA Today, @charlesppierce, @nickkristof, @djjudd, @katies, @jackposobiec, Snopes.com, @mahwashajaz_, @anusharavi10, @sduncovered, @biaggi4ny, @atrupar, @jackposobiec, @kfile, @ananavarro, @kaitlancollins, @maggienyt, @frankluntz, @phil_mattingly, @farnazfassihi, @fbhutto, @mollymckew, @jackiekcalmes, @seungminkim, @keithedwards, @paulszoldra, @chrisburynews, @repdanbishop, @peterbale, @raineytime, @emgusk, @dailycaller, @byrondonalds and Insider


Spotify signs a multi-year deal with WWE, which includes The Ringer and WWE launching an exclusive audio network and develop original audio content — The Ringer and WWE will launch an exclusive audio network and develop original content.
Discussion:
Variety and Barrett Media


Sinclair and Dish temporarily extend their contract as talks continue on their carriage deal; Sinclair regional sports networks have been a major sticking point — Dish and Sinclair have agreed to a short-term extension of their carriage agreement — HUNT VALLEY, M.D. …
Discussion:
USA Today, Cord Cutters News, Barrett Media and Awful Announcing


Members of The NewsGuild of New York voted 1,246-559 for a temporary dues increase for three years, the first dues increase in the guild's 88-year history — NEW YORK — In an historic referendum, an overwhelming majority of The NewsGuild of New York members voted 1246-559 in support …
Discussion:
CNN, @jamieson, @wmaxeddy, @rsgexp, @rkgwork, @nyguild, @dgorganize, @readerer, @law360union, @lainnafader, @jennyvrentas and @rebekahlsanders