Top News:


A look at AT&T's disastrous merger with WarnerMedia, an attempt to compete with big tech companies that cost tens of billions of dollars and thousands of jobs — The company had finally closed its $85 billion acquisition of Time Warner, after a protracted fight with the Department of Justice …
Discussion:
New York Times, @harrymccracken, @mikevanesler, @loupas, CNN, @film_girl, @digitalshields, @timcarvell, @xpangler, @bristei, @loudmouthjulia, MediaPost, @brentalang and The Streamable
RELATED:


Discovery takes control of HBO, CNN, and Warner Bros., forming Warner Bros. Discovery led by CEO David Zaslav and set to begin publicly trading on Monday — New York (CNN Business)Discovery's merger with WarnerMedia took effect on Friday afternoon, creating a streaming media giant led by CEO David Zaslav.
Discussion:
@jasonkilar, Variety, Ad Age, Variety, @brianstelter, Deadline, @donie, @kirbyslastsnack, @cdncapedcrusadr, @oliverdarcy, @brianstelter, @lamarrwilson, @nemalki, Too Much TV Newsletter, Variety and Adweek


The New York Times' policy is right: Twitter offers feedback on journalists' value but can instill self-censorship and is where anecdotes are mistaken for data — Today, New York Times honcho Dean Baquet ordered a company-wide “reset” in how his staff should think about Twitter.
Discussion:
@asymmetricinfo, @angelmendoza___, @thecannawriter, @morgan_sung, @annehelen, @kendrawrites, @kendrawrites, @alex_zee, @hhavrilesky, @juddlegum, @niketa, @jdickerson, @eliotwb, @rachelsklar, @nickstatt, @markberman, @anoushasakoui, @genepark, @wagatwe, @loudmouthjulia, bookforum.com, @taylorlorenz, @dkthomp, Supercreator, @christinapushaw and @alexstamos
RELATED:

Q&A with New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet on the details behind the company's Twitter policy, as he encourages staffers to tweet less and report more
Discussion:
@sarahellison, @mmasnick, @alexanderrusso, Lean Out with Tara Henley, @jkosseff, @jeffjarvis, @jayrosen_nyu, Axios, @trengriffin, @nickbryantny, @jason, @monicabyrne13, @hamiltonnolan, @mikeisaac, @sopandeb, @taylorlorenz, @karlbode, @juddlegum, @amzam, @kateconger, @morningmoneyben, @pkafka, @politicussarah, @moonalice, Newslit Daily, @politicussarah, @loudmouthjulia, @bigblackjacobin, Columbia Journalism Review, @thrasherxy, @froomkin, @niemanlab, @laurahazardowen, @becketadams, @hollyotterbein, @kantrowitz, @blackamazon, @samoburja, @andizeisler, @moorehn, @meredithshiner and @katewillett


US public schools banned 1,145 book titles between July 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022; 98% of the bans departed from guidelines meant to protect students' rights — Book bans in public schools have recurred throughout American history, and have long been an issue of concern to PEN America …


The New York Times adds two reporters to its media desk: Ben Mullin, from The Wall Street Journal, and Jeremy Peters, from The New York Times' politics section — Ben Mullin and Jeremy Peters are joining the media desk. Read more in this note from Ellen Pollock, Pui-Wing Tam, Rich Barbieri and Joe Plambeck.
Discussion:
@nytimespr, @benmullin, @carloslozadawp, @haleighhoffman, @dollydeighton, @digitalshields, @ourand_sbj, @froomkin, @pkafka, @gbrotman and @puiwingtam


The success of Paramount Network's cable TV hit Yellowstone proves that limiting streaming exposure provides value for cable TV and traditional media companies — Look no further than the stunning success of cable drama “Yellowstone” in 2021 for indication of how the TV industry got streaming wrong.
Discussion:
@variety, @ahszone and The Streamable


The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences bars Will Smith from attending the Oscars for 10 years, due to his slapping of comedian Chris Rock on stage — Will Smith will not be allowed to attend the Academy Awards for the next 10 years, as a result of his slapping comedian Chris Rock …
Discussion:
Variety, Variety, New York Times, Hollywood Reporter, Insider, @andreasharsono, CNBC, MovieWeb, @malyndahale, @sanasaeed, @mousterpiece, @jason, Hollywood Reporter, @fred_delicious, @brennanator, @sholamos1, Deadline, @latimes, @mattbelloni, @miafarrow, @prestonmitchum, @taylorespo, @bosscatholic, @kelechnekoff, @bcdreyer, @awestruckvox, @theeanxiousgay, @deathntaxesprof, @davidpsamson, @jasonrantz, @farrahsafiakhan, @obrien, @lucas_shaw, @daviddtss, The Guardian and Bloomberg


Lachlan Murdoch, once seen as an ambivalent heir who kept his politics quiet, parroted Fox News' prime time opinion hosts during a March 29 speech in Sydney — Lachlan Murdoch's first major media moment was also his first public humiliation. — It was 2005, and the oldest son of Rupert Murdoch …
Discussion:
@darickr, @mattsheffield, @donmoyn, @maxboot, @kurtbusiek, @davidalexander5, @chrisfholm, @wajahatali and @mehdirhasan


YouTube blocks Duma TV, which broadcasts from Russia's lower house of parliament; Russian officials warn that the site could face restrictions in response — YouTube has blocked Duma TV which broadcasts from Russia's lower house of parliament, drawing an angry response from officials …
Discussion:
@maximedwards and @brianstelter, more at Techmeme »


The Guardian will test a paywall in its news app for a sample of regular users as it explores the best pricing approach; The Guardian's website will remain open — Media group says it is committed to free-access journalism as financial position strengthens
Discussion:
@martinsfp, @davidclinchnews, @epro and @newley


A look at an international group of 1,300 librarians, historians, teachers, and children using open-source tools and Slack to back up Ukraine's digital archives — In early March, two weeks into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Carrie Pirmann stumbled upon a website dedicated to Ivan Mazepa …
Discussion:
@jeancase, @aimeerawlins, @internetarchive, @jrosenworcel and @jake_bernstein, more at Techmeme »


With Russian state news channels blocked in Europe and restricted globally, Kremlin propaganda is being routed through Chinese officials and state media outlets — Russian propaganda about the war in Ukraine cratered last month after Russian state news channels were blocked in Europe and restricted globally.
Discussion:
@sfthq, @lizzadwoskin, @mrbcyber, @cat_zakrzewski, @rachaelmyrow, CNN, @klustout, @ajamubaraka, @kgosztola, @seamusblackley and @willoremus