Top News:
Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
Substack lays off 13 of its 90 employees as it tries to conserve cash during a funding crunch for startups; source: cuts hit HR, writer support, and other roles — The newsletter start-up discussed raising funding last year but abandoned the plan after the market for venture investments cooled.
Discussion:
Variety, Axios, @stevekovach and @benmullin
Adam Piore / Columbia Journalism Review:
A look at DC-based Punchbowl, which had 3,000+ subscribers paying $300 per year in late 2021, as critics question the ethics of hosting events with lobbyists — A Friday morning last fall, in the subterranean labyrinth of the Capitol building, on either side of thick double doors: a throng of reporters and the House Democratic Caucus.
Discussion:
@betsymorais, @cjr, @cjr, @jayrosen_nyu, @_cingraham, @jon_allsop, @claireatki, @elwasson and @lutherlowe
Isabella Simonetti / New York Times:
Research: the rate of US newspaper closures, about two per week, did not change during the pandemic; 360+ US newspapers closed between late 2019 and May 2022 — The same pace — about two closures per week — was occurring before the pandemic. — Give this article- - - Read in app
Discussion:
localnewsinitiative …, Washington Post, Nieman Lab, Adweek, @tednesi, @sewellchan, @sewellchan, @sewellchan, The Rural Blog, @julesm_b, @darlin, @thesimonetti, Medill and @melissajpeltier
Nathan Bomey / Axios:
Maria Ressa says the Philippines' SEC told Rappler to shut down; Ressa: Rappler will fight the order affirming an earlier decision revoking incorporation papers — HONOLULU — Nobel Peace Prize laureate and journalist Maria Ressa said Tuesday that the Philippine government has ordered her news organization to shut down.
Discussion:
The Guardian, icfj.org, BBC, RAPPLER, SPJ News, @moonalice, @icfj, @reaproy, @pressfreedom, Newser, Associated Press, Bloomberg, CNN, Committee to Protect …, CBS News, @rapplerdotcom, @brooklynmarie, @lauraedelson2, @icfj, @lianbuan, @ancalerts, @karaswisher, @jairaroxas_, @article19org, @kenroth, @maxwalden_, @icijorg, @kylecmatthews, @jason_kint, @nathanbomey, @dangillmor, Al Jazeera, @davetroy, @khadijapatel, @sarakgoo and @marklittlenews
Tarpley Hitt / Gawker:
New York Magazine ran a story on cancel culture in high school, but failed to disclose that the author used a tale from her child's school, contorting the piece — In the impoverished ecosystem of contemporary print media, New York magazine has styled itself as a venue for rigorous, often wry, and overtly left-leaning journalism.
Discussion:
@tarpleyhitt, @georgeciveris, @lukeoneil47, @jhweissmann, @futterish, @iwriteok, @eoinhiggins_, @alexmcdaniel, @lmichet, @blackamazon, @chrisiousity, @resnikoff, @reclaimuc, @catrcardenas, @dansolomon, @zoewhittall, @caitlinmoriah, @thrasherxy, @naomigloebl, @bgrueskin, @omarsrashad, @clbergpowers, @jeremylittau, @dangillmor, @partyhkt, @brydielk, @velocciraptor, @r0wdy_, @nina_metz, @mckinneykelsey, @brookeobie, @jeffbercovici, @drvolts, @automaticzen, @karnythia, @jonbernhardt, @_cingraham, @rottenindenmark, @notrivia and bookforum.com
Max Goldbart / Deadline:
The BBC and ITV's BritBox International restructures as BBI North America, covering the US and Canada, and BBI International Markets, covering six countries — BritBox International, the streamer run by the BBC and ITV, has restructured, talked up U.S. growth and communicated its desire to avoid …
Discussion:
The Streamable
Reuters:
Hong Kong blocks Reuters, SCMP, and other outlets from the 25th anniversary ceremonies of the city's handover to China, which President Xi is due to attend — Journalists from more than seven organisations, including Reuters, have been blocked from covering official ceremonies to mark …
Discussion:
CNN, @jerometaylor, @brianstelter, @claradfmarques, WHDH-TV and @dangillmor
Jim Waterson / The Guardian:
After the UK's National Union of Journalists rejected Reach's 3% pay rise, The Mirror, Daily Express, and hundreds of local newspapers face strike action — Reach, which also owns titles such as the Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo, has offered 3%
Discussion:
@elizmizon, @evansthecrime and @stevedyson
Adlan Jackson / New York Times:
A look at YouTube “media critics”, who use humor to dissect the output of more popular YouTubers, discuss the absurdities of social media influencers, and more — One of the most popular genres of videos online is to comment on other videos online. Are they comedians or media critics?
Discussion:
@jeffjarvis, more at Techmeme »
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Survey: Netflix ranked first out of nine SVOD if US adults could only have one, and HBO Max was second; on perceived value, HBO Max was first and Netflix last — Netflix customers seem to have a love-hate relationship with the industry's biggest subscription streamer.
Discussion:
Digital TV Europe, @xpangler, Advanced Television, The Streamable, Tubefilter and Media Play News
Alex Sherman / CNBC:
Sources: a deal to spin off Starz from Lionsgate could be announced as soon as August 4, valuing Starz between $2B and $4B, more than Lionsgate's $2B+ valuation — Starz wasn't John Malone's most successful investment. But it may be his most symbolic. — The media mogul once controlled Starz as an independent company.
Discussion:
The Streamable and @sherman4949
Emily Nicolle / Bloomberg:
Napster plans to rebuild its business around music NFTs and cryptocurrencies, despite slumping demand, as part of Hivemind Capital's take-private acquisition — Napster, the brand that became synonymous with free music to a generation of consumers, plans to rebuild its business around cryptocurrencies …
Discussion:
@emilyjnicolle and Insider