Top News:
Maggie Harrison / Futurism:
Sources: Sports Illustrated published AI-generated articles by fake authors with AI-generated headshots; the outlet now deleted the articles and author pages — There was nothing in Drew Ortiz's author biography at Sports Illustrated to suggest that he was anything other than human.
Discussion:
Awful Announcing, Variety, The Wrap, Mediaite, Sportico, TMZ.com, @davidfolkenflik, @sinow, The Verge, Phil de Haan on LinkedIn, @miarsato, @khaled74, @joepompliano, @miasato.2@threads.net, Dustin Gouker on LinkedIn, @stuartathompsonnyt …, Jeff Eisenband on LinkedIn, @kashhill@threads.net, Lily Ray on LinkedIn, David Fucillo on LinkedIn, Newser, @paultassi, @mattbrownep, @ethangach, @emptyseatspics, @emilygorcenski@indieweb …, @brianbyrdman, @harrymccracken, @peterbutler@mas.to, @jeffeisenband, @dannypage, @emilymbender, @chrismoranuk, @nxthompson, @craigcalcaterra, @mikeisaac, @emilymbender@dair …, @beep@follow.ethanmarcotte.com, @taylorlorenz@mastodon.social, @kimnewsome and @Zeb_Larson@zirk.us
Alex Weprin / Hollywood Reporter:
Scott Havens, who became Bloomberg Media CEO in January 2022 after Justin Smith's exit, leaves to become president of business operations for The New York Mets — The executive will be president of business operations for the baseball team. — Bloomberg Media CEO M. Scott Havens is leaving for the big leagues.
Wall Street Journal:
WSJ created Instagram accounts following only young gymnasts and influencers and found salacious Reels, like risqué footage of kids, shown next to big brand ads — Content served to WSJ test accounts included risqué footage of kids, overtly sexual adult videos and ads from major brands
Paul Farhi / Washington Post:
How US local authorities are going after journalists and publishers of small papers like Alabama's Atmore News, emboldened by local media's financial decline — It's an increasingly familiar drama: Local authorities go after journalists and publishers of small papers, which find themselves on the First Amendment's front lines.
Discussion:
@d_yetter and @JaneRLaForge@mstdn.social
Mike Allen / Axios:
Sources: Simon and Schuster won a competition for Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan's book on Donald Trump's “final act”, to be written after the 2024 election — Simon and Schuster won a furious competition for the deeply reported book by the two New York Times political correspondents.
Discussion:
@newsjennifer, @keitholbermann and Mediaite
Financial Times:
The UAE's press freedom and media record are under close scrutiny after RedBird IMI, an Abu Dhabi-backed group, bids for The Telegraph's buyout — Gulf state funding RedBird IMI's bid for UK newspaper has sought to build English-speaking media assets for past 15 years
Discussion:
DeSmog, Semafor, The Guardian, The Guardian, Talking Biz News and Telegraph
RELATED:
Kellen / Droid Life:
YouTube Premium rolls out Playables, which lets users play games on mobile and desktop with no need to download, available until March 28, 2024 — YouTube Premium's benefits expanded this holiday week with the addition of Playables into the app. Playables, as the name sort of suggests …
Discussion:
The Verge, more at Techmeme »
Emma Roth / The Verge:
Popular Science drops its magazine product, which became all digital in 2021; it will continue to offer articles on its website and a PopSci Plus subscription — After 151 years, Popular Science will no longer be available to purchase as a magazine. In a statement to The Verge, Cathy Hebert …
Discussion:
@jockr@mastodon.social and @paleofuture.bsky.social
Max Goldbart / Deadline:
Source: the BBC paid a large free upfront to the episodic writers of Doctor Who, shifting away from a residual model, after Disney+ came on board as a partner — - Gaumont UK Lands Latest Channel 5 Thriller; Juno Dawson Series For Altitude; Ukrainian Anthology Sales; ZDF Kim Dotcom Drama - Global Briefs
Discussion:
The Sun
Dominic Ponsford / Press Gazette:
An interview with Bloomberg's Chief Digital Officer about reaching 500K subs five years after launching a paywall, ad business, engaging with Gen Z, and more — Press Gazette caught up with Bloomberg Media chief digital officer Julia Beizer in New York. — Bloomberg Media's chief digital …
Discussion:
Joe Webster on LinkedIn, @palewire, @pressgazette, @pressgazette, @pressgazette and Talking Biz News
Carmel Dagan / Variety:
Marty Krofft, a TV producer and co-creator of popular kids TV shows like H.R. Pufnstuf and Land of the Lost, died on November 25 at age 86 — Marty Krofft, who with his brother Sid produced memorable kids shows “H.R. Pufnstuf” and “Land of the Lost” — as well as the 2009 feature based on the latter — has died.
Discussion:
TV Insider, Los Angeles Times, The Wrap, @stevesi, @mikemcfarlandva, @chuckyt3, @paperhaus, @mattrett, @dannyderaney, @intothecrevasse, Associated Press, Patrick Connolly on LinkedIn, ABC News, The A.V. Club, The Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles Times, The Messenger, Reuters, New York Times, TVLine, Collider and abc7NY
Mary Ilyushina / Washington Post:
Russia opens a criminal case against prominent journalist Masha Gessen for allegedly spreading “false information” about Russian army's atrocities in Ukraine — RIGA, Latvia — Russia has opened a criminal case against the prominent Russian American writer and journalist Masha Gessen …
Discussion:
Business Insider
Rory Smith / New York Times:
A look at Stretford Paddock and other soccer watchalongs popular in the UK, whose livestreams try to recreate the feeling of “watching the game with your mates” — Soccer fans are tuning out broadcasts in favor of watchalongs: streaming parties where you hear what you want to hear and see everything except the game.
Discussion:
@benhoffmannyt