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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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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


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


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 »


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


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


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”.


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


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


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


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 …


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