Top News:
James Bennet / The Economist:
Former NYT editor James Bennet chronicles how fewer jobs for young reporters, the NYT's business model, and new ideals have led to “illiberal bias” at the paper — America's media should do more to equip readers to think for themselves — Are we truly so precious?
Discussion:
Fox News, @wesleylowery, @wesleylowery, @wesleylowery, @brianstelter, @wesleylowery, @wesleylowery, @nhannahjones, @digiphile, @davmicrot@threads.net, @chathamharrison.bsky.social, New York Post, @nhannahjones, @tomscocca.bsky.social, @lugaricano, @benklinepoet, @dicktofel, @lionelbarber, @emilyctamkin, @charlesornstein, @schreckreports, @codendahl, @shashj, @mrianleslie, @asymmetricinfo, @bigmeaninternet, Politico, @tomscocca.bsky.social, @karenho.bsky.social, The Wrap, David D. Tawil on LinkedIn, Ron Fournier on LinkedIn, Kimberly Lau on LinkedIn, @asveenstra.bsky.social, @froomkin.bsky.social, @poniewozik@threads.net, @peterhimler.bsky.social, @awgordon.bsky.social, @cingraham.bsky.social, @michaelhobbes.bsky.social, @karenho.bsky.social, @karaswisher@threads.net, @macloo.bsky.social, @macloo.bsky.social, @macloo.bsky.social, @macloo.bsky.social and @macloo.bsky.social
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A.G. Sulzberger / The New York Times Company:
NYT Publisher AG Sulzberger says James Bennet constructed a “false narrative” about the outlet and the paper has a more diverse mix of opinions than ever before — James Bennet and I have always agreed on the importance of independent journalism, the challenges it faces in today's …
Discussion:
@froomkin, @JoshuaHolland@mastodon.social, @fifilamoura@eldritch.cafe and @maripuerta
Alexandra Topping / The Guardian:
A UK judge rules that 15 out of 33 Daily Mirror articles related to Prince Harry were a product of phone hacking and awards him £140,600 in damages — Duke awarded £140,600 in damages after judge rules articles were product of hacking or unlawful information gathering
Discussion:
Reuters, Mediaite, Bloomberg, Variety, Press Gazette, Reuters, TMZ.com, UPI, Sky News, @mediaite_uk, Newser, Page Six, Hacked Off, Associated Press, E! Online, The Sun, NewsNation, Semafor, Financial Times, CBS News, Deadline, Hollywood Reporter, The Indian Express, RTÉ and The Messenger
Joseph Cox / 404 Media:
Cox Media Group claims it can listen to conversations of consumers through microphones in smartphones, smart TVs, and other devices and use it to target ads — A marketing team within media giant Cox Media Group (CMG) claims it has the capability to listen to ambient conversations …
Discussion:
9to5Mac, @jasonkoebler@mastodon.social, @heatherkaiserwa, @cdarwin@c.im, @iwschlom, @ai6yr@m.ai6yr.org, @bettinaboomboom, @samvarma@fosstodon.org, @jsrailton, @lakewitchhouse.bsky.social, @CharlieMcHenry@connectop.us, @evacide@hachyderm.io, @supersat, @mikko and RADIO ONLINE, more at Techmeme »
Wall Street Journal:
President Vladimir Putin hopes to “find a solution” regarding detained WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, who on December 14 lost another court appeal for release — Russian president says he hopes to ‘find a solution’ regarding Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, who are both in Russian custody
Middle East Eye:
An Israeli drone strike wounded two Al Jazeera journalists, including Gaza bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh, whose family was killed in an air strike in October — Wael al-Dahdouh and videographer Samer Abu Daqqa were hit while covering the aftermath of an earlier strike on a UN school sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis
Discussion:
Reuters and Jordan News
Financial Times:
The trial of Hong Kong media mogul and activist Jimmy Lai, accused of collusion with foreign forces and conspiring to publish seditious material, starts Dec. 18 — One of Chinese Communist party's most outspoken critics faces prospect of life in prison — Jimmy Lai believed in “delivering freedom through media”.
Amanda Silberling / TechCrunch:
MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, launches ViewStats, a YouTube analytics platform for creators and their fans, in beta, along with co-founder Chucky Appleby — The top YouTuber in the U.S., MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) co-founded the new analytics platform ViewStats, which is now available in beta.
Discussion:
Tubefilter
John Buckley / Capital Brief:
Nine Entertainment Managing Director, Publishing, James Chessell steps down from the role, but will remain involved in a different role or as a consultant — James Chessell, the last remaining senior executive with links to Fairfax, is stepping down from his role at Nine.
Discussion:
Mediaweek, @johnbuckley_, Mumbrella and @mumbrellanews
Eileen AJ Connelly / The Wrap:
Endeavor Group invests in Chess.com, and Endeavor's entertainment agency WME signs with Chess.com to help develop unscripted content including documentaries — The site, which hosts 10 million games daily, also signed with Endeavor's WME with eyes on projects like documentaries, celeb “moments”
Discussion:
Variety, Chess.com, The Hollywood Reporter and Sportico
Katie Robertson / New York Times:
Mother Jones and the Center for Investigative Reporting plan to merge in early 2024 with Monika Bauerlein as CEO and Clara Jeffery leading the combined newsroom — The combined newsroom will have more than 70 people. — Mother Jones and the Center for Investigative Reporting will merge next year …
Wall Street Journal:
Some publishers estimate that Google's Search Generative Experience could cut referral traffic by 20% to 40% if the final version resembles recent iterations — Tech giant's AI-powered search product is being tested on roughly 10 million users; publishers rely on Google for traffic and see a gathering storm
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