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A jury says Alex Jones must pay two Sandy Hook parents $45.2M in punitive damages, on top of $4.1M in compensatory damages, for claiming the shooting was a hoax — U.S. conspiracy theorist Alex Jones must pay the parents of a 6-year-old boy killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre $45.2 million …
Discussion:
New York Times, CNN, New York Times, @oneunderscore__, Insider, New York Times, @statesman, @houstonchron, @barthsnotes, @blaw, @lionelmedia, @theagentndn, @chucklindell, @senwhitehouse, @anniemal, @motherboard, @jagdbs, Axios, @doniveson, @katiephang, Associated Press, @morgantremaine, @amandamarcotte, @irvinewelsh, @mmpadellan, @adambspencer, @consumersos, Vanity Fair, Bloomberg, NPR, @aweissmann_, @tomcolicchio, @renato_mariotti, @joshtpm, @jemelehill, @gmbutts, @barbmcquade, @dansolomon, @wingoz, @amandionair, @shannonrwatts, @dansolomon, @averytravistv, @averytravistv, The Triad, @dansolomon, @evacide, @oliverdarcy, @thezhanly, @derrelldurrett, @popehat, @popehat, @andykroll, @annamerlan, @rvawonk, Washington Post, VICE and Infowars
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How mainstream outlets boosted right-wing commentators Alex Jones, Tomi Lahren, and others to the point of manifesting the rising star narrative they created — When mainstream media outlets decide to interview right-wing trolls like Jones, they're paving the way for the fringe's future success.
Discussion:
@dceiver, @bykatesmith, @sr_lazarus, @alanmairson, @orlagleans, @parkermolloy, @parkermolloy, @jdhughez, @parkermolloy, @mimmymum and @mimmymum

Texas law caps punitive damages, meaning Alex Jones may get a reduced fine; his lawyers plan to seek a fine reduction that the plaintiffs' lawyers plan to fight
Discussion:
New York Times, @karaswisher, @nytliz, The Wrap, @staceyh1970, @blaw, @heidilifeldman, @jordanonrecord, @sarahfrier and The Verge


Warner Bros. Discovery's stock closed down 16.53% on August 5, after its first combined financial report revealed disappointing revenue and streaming challenges — Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery sank Friday after the media and entertainment giant reported disappointing earnings …
Discussion:
@thr, @thr, @amazehayes_, Global Community Weekly, @thr, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Barron's Online and Insider
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CNN and Warner Bros. Discovery plan to launch a CNN Originals hub on Discovery+ starting on August 19, featuring 800+ hours of current and legacy programming — CNN and Warner Bros. Discovery are launching a dedicated CNN Originals hub on Discovery+ domestically starting August 19.
Discussion:
@ourand_sbj and Los Angeles Times


Sources: DC Films President Walter Hamada was on the verge of leaving the studio after Batgirl's shelving, but agreed to stay on at least until October 21, 2022 — The executive has agreed to remain in his post at least until the Oct. 21 release of the Dwayne Johnson film ‘Black Adam.’
Discussion:
Puck, @theericgoldman, @ray8fisher, @nickatina_show, @cdncapedcrusadr, SlashFilm, The Wrap, IndieWire, Insider, Variety, Looper and Los Angeles Times


Gannett, Warner Bros. Discovery, The New York Times, Paramount, and other US media firms have noted a Q2 2022 advertising slowdown and headwinds in Q3 guidance — Warner Bros. Discovery, New York Times and Paramount Global warn of pressure on ad revenue — U.S. television networks …
Discussion:
@newley and @blackamazon


Inside the “YouTube automation” cottage industry, which is persuading people to spend thousands of dollars on tutorials for creating video businesses on YouTube — A cottage industry is persuading people to spend thousands to create video businesses on YouTube. Disclaimer: It is harder than it looks.


An interview with Rachel Maddow on her decision to step back from MSNBC's daily prime time slot after 14 years to focus on a WWII-era podcast and other projects — The cable juggernaut signed a multimillion-dollar contract to not be on the air five nights a week.
Discussion:
@vanityfair, @neilmcmahon, @vanityfair, Insider, @mlcalderone, Blood & Ink and @joepompeo


How a record store owner exposed MoFi's use of digital files after the company claimed for years its pricey vinyl album reissues are purely analog reproductions — MoFi Records claimed its expensive reissues were purely analog reproductions. It had been deceiving its customer base for years.
Discussion:
@sterlewine, @dada_drummer, @charlesarthur, @swiftonsecurity, @amandamarcotte, @boringstein, @anthony, @bubbaprog, Sebastopol Times, @2020science, @nspector4, @_almaqah, @nickfalacci, @notrivia, @hoffmang, @nedraggett, @martinsfp, @katienotopoulos, @jasonleopold, @jasoncfry, @jbenton, @tedgioia and @malitzd


Pulitzer-winning Associated Press reporter Martha Mendoza and eight more investigative reporters discuss their mistakes and what journalists can learn from them — If there is one type of lesson that journalists never forget, it is the kind that follows a strategic reporting mistake that stalls an otherwise promising investigation.
Discussion:
@danielsilliman, @gijn, @ibwellssociety, @spj_tweets, @journoresource, @miamalan, @bhekisisa_mg and @risj_oxford


Reporters' ability to talk with US federal agency staff without public information officer approval has been gradually cut off, and the media should fight back — In 1981, Cristine Russell, then a health reporter at the Washington Post, asked to interview C. Everett Koop, who was nominated to be surgeon general of the United States.


Todd Boehly's Eldridge Industries and MRC complete split of shared media assets; Eldridge retains Dick Clark Productions and Hollywood publication investments — The companies said that a transition structure will be put in place over the next several months in order to ensure a smooth separation.
Discussion:
The Wrap, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline