Top News:
Abram Brown / Forbes:
Kremlin-linked RIA Novosti, with 200K+ TikTok followers, has posted misleading info nearly three dozen times on TikTok over the past four days despite new rules — RIA Novosti, a Russian government news agency whose origins date back to World War II, has published nearly three dozen posts …
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal, Wired, @caseynewton and @abebrown716
Jem Aswad / Variety:
RIAA: recorded music industry reached $15B in 2021 revenue; paid subscriptions grew 11% to 84M, revenue rose 23% YoY to $9.5B; vinyl sales rose 61% YoY to $1B — The U.S. recorded-music business continues its upward swing, posting a near-record $15 billion in revenue for 2021 …
Discussion:
Billboard, @danrys, @dada_drummer, insideradio.com, Music Business Worldwide and RIAA
Jason Aycock / Seeking Alpha:
Lee Enterprises' shareholders vote to return three director nominees to the board, which the company calls “a resounding rejection” of Alden — - Lee Enterprises' (LEE -4.4%) annual meeting has generally gone by the books, with shareholders voting overwhelmingly to return three director nominees to the board.
Discussion:
Poynter and Associated Press
Brian Welk / The Wrap:
Disney says it will pause all business in Russia, including licensing, cruise activities, National Geographic magazine and tours, and linear channels — Disney is now pausing all of its business in Russia amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, calling Vladimir Putin's actions an “unrelenting assault on Ukraine.”
Discussion:
The Streamable, Variety, Reuters, Los Angeles Times, Deadline, @sharonwaxman and Hollywood Reporter
Bill Grueskin / Columbia Journalism Review:
A look at the Australia's news bargaining law one year in: money covers more jobs, including at ABC, but deals are murky and riches aren't spread equally — SYDNEY - More than a dozen years ago, the US Federal Trade Commission sponsored an ominously titled workshop, “How Will Journalism Survive the Internet Age?”
Andrius Sytas / Reuters:
Lithuania passes a law to let police remove access to a media outlet for up to 72 hours for “war propaganda and disinformation” favoring Russia — Lithuania imposed a stricter state of emergency on Thursday in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, limiting rights to free expression …
Tom Parker / Reclaim The Net:
DuckDuckGo, which has touted its “unbiased” search results for years, says it will down-rank sites “associated with Russian disinformation” — A change in direction. — The founder of DuckDuckGo, a Google-alternative search engine that has touted its “unbiased” …
Aisha Majid / Press Gazette:
PitchBook: in 2021, VC funding in media declined in the US and Europe, with $250M invested in the US and $110M in Europe, but grew to $640M in other regions — Despite some eye-catching deals in the last year, venture capital funding for media remains well below the 2015 and 2017 peaks …
Benjamin Mullin / Wall Street Journal:
MSNBC says much of its TV lineup will be on Peacock hours after it airs and is changing the name of its channel from The Choice to MSNBC on Peacock — Shows including ‘Morning Joe’ and ‘All In With Chris Hayes’ will appear on Peacock hours after they air on TV
Discussion:
TVNewser, Adweek, The Streamable, Variety, Deadline, @wsj, @benmullin and Hollywood Reporter
Zack Sharf / Variety:
After criticism, CinemaBlend pulls a review by its managing director that said Pixar's Turning Red had narrow appeal as it was set in Toronto's Asian community — “Turning Red” cast members spoke up in support of the new Pixar film and its universality following a controversial review …
Discussion:
@mandford, @sassymamainla, @cinemablend, @kneon, @aliciavitarelli, @sean_oconnell, IndieWire, Twelve Thirty Six and CBC News
Michael Paulson / New York Times:
Audible added a theater tab to its app this month as it becomes a big player in the space, releasing 93 audio theater works so far, including 24 in 2021 — A company known for audiobooks is mounting starry live productions — and recording them, too. — Elizabeth Marvel took off her shoes …
Discussion:
@linearao3, @alexnazaryan, @nytmetro, @nkhverma, @audibletheater, @jerryportwood, @don_katz, @audible_com, @jbouie and @michaelpaulson
Alex Weprin / Hollywood Reporter:
CEO Bob Chapek says Disney opposes Florida's “Don't Say Gay” bill, pledges $5M to LGBTQ+ rights advocates, and says he'll discuss the bill with FL's governor — The company is also donating $5 million to organizations that support LGTBQ+ rights.
Discussion:
Variety, @juddlegum, Los Angeles Times, @aguirreryan, ScreenRant, @aguirreryan, National Review, Los Angeles Times, @reedgalen, @hamishsteele, LGBTQ Nation, @normornstein, @travismayfield, The Playlist, @juddlegum, @juddlegum, @juddlegum, @scontorno, @alexweprin, @thewrap, @tvietor08, @aguirreryan, @annaforflorida, The Mary Sue, Insider, CNN, WFLA-TV, The Verge, Polygon, IndieWire, The Wrap and Deadline