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Experts say a Florida bill to force some bloggers to register with the state is unconstitutional; DeSantis spurred other bills to weaken defamation defenses — Rules for bloggers who write about elected officials raise First Amendment concern. — A proposed law in Florida would force bloggers …
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WFLA-TV, Techdirt, Fox News, Columbia Journalism Review, Insider, NBC News, Pitt's Newsletter, RedState, @walterkirn, Florida Politics, Substack, @martinishark, @juliedicaro, @juddlegum, @arrington, @knightcolumbia, New York Post, New Republic, Newser, @walshfreedom, @scalzi, @feministajones, @harikunzru, @ronfilipkowski, Deadline, @steve_vladeck, @kysportsradio, Free Press, Earthbound Valkyrie, The Hill, The Daily Beast, The Wrap, Curmudgucation, The Daily and Boing Boing


Dominion-Fox lawsuit filings show at least four journalists faced internal backlash in 2020 for calling out election lies; Lachlan Murdoch prompted one scolding — “News guys have to be careful,” Lachlan Murdoch warned after on-air journalists cast doubt on Trump conspiracy theories, internal documents show.
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@dashdecosta, @froomkin@journa.host, @froomkin, @russellsieg, @jeremymbarr, New York Daily News, The Hill, @espinsegall and On the Media
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Filings: Rupert Murdoch claims he delegates “everything” at Fox News to CEO Suzanne Scott as hosts claim no one at Fox Corp. gave election coverage instructions — Back in 2021, Fox Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch was described by President Joe Biden as the “the most dangerous man in the world …
Discussion:
CNN, Mediaite, Financial Times, @jayrosen_nyu, FTVLive, Deadline, Vicky Ward Investigates, Media Matters for America and The Guardian


Sources: CNET lays off around a dozen people, or ~10% of its staff, including several longtime employees, after revelations the outlet used AI to write articles — Just weeks after news broke that tech site CNET was quietly using artificial intelligence to produce articles …
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Variety, The Wrap, Futurism, Insider, @bigmeaninternet, @rachelmetz, @edzitron, @gloria_sin, @qwongsj, @xoxogossipgita, @greene_dm, @cpautoscribe, @scalzi, @vikkie, @scottnover, @zemotion, @jessicalessin, @sdw, @klawls, @chrishayner, @chrishayner, @bcmerchant, @jaredbkeller, @stevenewing, @karlbode, @karlbode, @karlbode, @jake_k, @paleofuture, @miarsato, @miarsato, @miarsato and Talking Biz News
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CNET EIC Connie Guglielmo, who defended CNET writing articles using AI tools, steps down to become Red Ventures' SVP of AI content strategy and editor-at-large — Following monthslong questions about how CNET uses artificial intelligence tools, longtime CNET editor-in-chief Connie Guglielmo …


Sources: ESPN in talks with sports leagues and media partners about offering a live sports guide with direct links, possibly in exchange for a subscription cut — - ESPN has talked with major sports leagues and media partners about launching a feature that would link users directly …
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Observer, @sherman4949, The Streamable, Broadband TV News, @sarthakgh, @chrisnickinson, @ourand_sbj, @sallyjenkinswa1, MediaPost, @bachscore, @dalter, @sallyjenkinswa1, @rltsports, @andy_staples, @jacobfeldman4, @pkafka, @tim_bays, @sherman4949, @great_katzby, @keitholbermann, @mediumbuying, @sportstvratings, @sherman4949, Awful Announcing and Barrett Media


Two US senators and 11 US House members write to Star-Ledger and NJ Advance Media executives, protesting their decision to close their Washington, DC bureau — Lawmakers: ‘"Our constituents rely on this coverage to be informed participants in our democracy’


Wired publishes its generative AI rules, saying the outlet won't publish text written or edited by AI but may use AI for headlines, social media, or story ideas — Some publications are already using text and image generators. Here's how WIRED will—and won't—use the technology.
Discussion:
@emilybell, @waltmossberg, @glichfield, @laurengoode, @ndiakopoulos, @rifish, @nickstatt, @mtrc, @martinstabe and @mediaevan


A look at the projection issues ruining movie theaters, where the use of aging digital projectors and worn-out light bulbs contribute to poor picture quality — Multiplexes are failing at their most basic function: delivering a bright, sharp image. — Michelle Pfeiffer and Jonathan Majors look like crap.


UMG CEO Lucian Grainge says the company is working with Deezer on a “new model” for paying artists streaming royalties, similar to its earlier Tidal partnership — The partnership, which follows a similar collaboration with TIDAL, was announced by UMG CEO Lucian Grainge on an earnings call.
Discussion:
Complete Music Update and @dada_drummer
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Universal Music Group reports 2022 revenue up 22% YoY to €10.34B, subscriptions and streaming revenue up 19% to €5.32B, and operating profit up 15% to €$1.6B
Discussion:
Digital Music News, tools.eurolandir.com, Music Business Worldwide, Variety, Reuters and The Hollywood Reporter


Meta, Twitter, and Snapchat's subscription fees and features are aimed at professional creators filling social feeds because regular users post too infrequently — Monthly fees for Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat are not for ordinary users. They're for the professionals who've taken over the feeds.
Discussion:
Slate and Insider Intelligence


London-based Electrify Video Partners, which invests in, and acquires, established YouTube channels “with a solid income”, raised $50M led by MEP Capital — Electrify Video Partners has raised $50 million to invest in and acquire YouTube channels.


A look at OptOut News, an app launched in March 2022 by journalists Alex Kotch and Walker Bragman to aggregate news “100% free from corporate media narratives” — After Alex Kotch got into the habit of scrolling Apple News every morning in 2020, he started to find the offering a little limited.
Discussion:
@risj_oxford, @mariabustillos and @optoutnews