Mediagazer: A deep dive into a secretive US CBP unit that investigated as many as 20 journalists, including NYT's Ali Watkins and AP investigative reporter Martha Mendoza (Jana Winter/Yahoo News)

11:00 PM ET, December 11, 2021

Top News:

Jana Winter / Yahoo News:

A deep dive into a secretive US CBP unit that investigated as many as 20 journalists, including NYT's Ali Watkins and AP investigative reporter Martha Mendoza — It was almost 10 p.m. on a Thursday night, and Ali Watkins was walking around the capital following instructions texted by a stranger.

Valerie Hopkins / New York Times:

At the Oslo awards ceremony, Nobel Prize winners Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov call for peace, a renewed commitment to democracy, and support for a free press — At an awards ceremony in Oslo, Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitri A. Muratov of Russia called for peace, democratic renewal and support for a free press.

Sara Fischer / Axios:

The International Fund for Public Interest Media, led by Mark Thompson and Maria Ressa, says it is looking to raise $100M after the US pledges up to $30M — Press freedom is starting to get more attention from world leaders, as new data suggests 2021 was yet another record-breaking year for violations of those rights.

Discussion: @sarafischer, @colincrowell, Common Dreams, @jayrosen_nyu, @paulhrosenberg, RAPPLER and @nehadixit123

Axios:

Some current and former BuzzFeed staff can't sell their stock amid a steep price drop, due to poor communication from BuzzFeed and its stock transfer agent — Many early BuzzFeed employees remain unable to sell their shares, even though the company went public this past Monday.

Maxwell Strachan / VICE:

In Slack posts, Jonah Peretti denies “speculation” that big investors and execs could trade BuzzFeed stock ahead of others, blames transfer agent for problems — Workers who had money on the line are very upset about about having been part of the SPAC from hell. — MS

Discussion: @scottdeveau, @vice, @motherboard, @lorenzofb, @mollyhc, @andrewfeinberg, @timmarchman, @timmarchman, @bombur, @timmarchman and @maxwellstrachan

Ben Quinn / The Guardian:

The UK high court rules Julian Assange can be extradited to the US to face espionage charges, overturning a previous judgment in January — Decision overturns previous ruling that Wikileaks co-founder could not be extradited due to mental health concerns — Julian Assange can be extradited …

Gabby Miller / Columbia Journalism Review:

US newsrooms: between March 2020 and August 2021, 6,154+ editorial and non-editorial workers were laid off, ~86 outlets closed, and 42 were absorbed via M&As — KEY FINDINGS: — At least 6,154 news organization workers, which includes both editorial and non-editorial staffers …

Discussion: @__gabbymiller, @__gabbymiller, @__gabbymiller, @raju, @__gabbymiller, @__gabbymiller, @lucasgrindley, @kylepope, @scottnover, @kristenhare, @karlbode and @emilybell

Anya Schiffrin / Columbia Journalism Review:

EU bills targeting disinformation, like the Digital Services Act, could be a “game changer” in 2022, but journalists want to make sure they won't be censored — After several years of asking the tech giants to regulate themselves on mis/disinformation and a range of other topics …

Discussion: @columbiasipa, @iainlevine, @anyasipa, @efjeurope, @disinfoindex, @cjr and @businessofnews

Elsa Keslassy / Variety:

Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, and Apple TV+ agree to invest €250M-€300M combined in French content yearly per a government decree; source: Netflix will invest €200M — The CSA expects the investment to be between €250 million ($282 million) to €300 million ($330 million) on average per year.

Discussion: @parismarx, iMore, AppleInsider and Forbes

Jane Martinson / Prospect Magazine:

A look at the shakeup at the Daily Mail, including the ouster of editor Geordie Greig, the return of Paul Dacre, and the departure of MailOnline's Martin Clarke — Jane Martinson investigates why Geordie Grieg was sacked—and why Boris Johnson will be mightily relieved

Discussion: @j_coatsworth, @flying_rodent, @brokenbottleboy, @arusbridger, @janinegibson, @soniasodha, @emilybell, @prospect_clark, @janemartinson, @janemartinson, @arusbridger and @janemartinson

CNN:

A look at the history of journalists trying to go to space, as Good Morning America host Michael Strahan takes a brief ride on Blue Origin's latest launch — Shortly before Jeff Bezos flew to space in July, “Good Morning America” host Michael Strahan was one of the few journalists who got …

Discussion: @kerrymflynn, @kerrymflynn, @alexdelbarrio, @milesobrien, @mikeboard1200, @mcwm, @jackiewattles and @journalistslike

Robert Silverman / The Daily Beast:

Two photojournalists sue Andy Ngo, alleging he violated copyright law by profiting from reposting their original, firsthand videos of protests and civil unrest — The right-wing provocateur has made a career off repurposing other people's content from inside protests. A pair of reporters seek to stop him.

Discussion: @thedailybeast, Reclaim The Net, @gpollowitz, @dlamontjenkins, @bobsaietta, @jimstewartson, @thedailybeast, @timcast, @bobsaietta, @bruce_arthur, @bobsaietta, @michaelehayden, @nandoodles and @bobsaietta

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Politics Reporter, TX — Texas Tribune

Consumer Brands Reporter, GA — AJC

Deputy Editor - Health Care, VA — Politico

Product Editor, CA — CalMatters

Indigenous Affairs Editor, Sydney — Guardian US

China Markets Correspondent, Shanghai — Reuters

Bangor Reporter, ME — Bangor Daily News

Commerce Editor - Health, Remote US — Yahoo

Sports Editor, MI — Detroit News

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Caitlin Petre / Columbia Journalism Review:
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Jim Milliot / Publishers Weekly:
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Richard J. Tofel / Second Rough Draft:
BuzzFeed was still right to publish the largely discredited Steele Dossier, because it was well-circulated in Washington and central elements were accurate

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Mark Stenberg / Adweek:
Starting in early 2022, video clips from Vox Media's Pivot podcast will air exclusively on Salesforce+ for 72 hours; Salesforce will sponsor Pivot video in 2022

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