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, New York Post, @davmicrot@threads.net, @digiphile, @brianstelter, @wesleylowery, @wesleylowery, @wesleylowery, @wesleylowery, @wesleylowery, Politico, Kimberly Lau on LinkedIn, @peterhimler.bsky.social, @asymmetricinfo, @poniewozik@threads.net, @macloo.bsky.social, @mrianleslie, @lugaricano, David D. Tawil on LinkedIn, @benklinepoet, @lionelbarber, @bigmeaninternet, @emilyctamkin, @macloo.bsky.social, @froomkin.bsky.social, Ron Fournier on LinkedIn, @macloo.bsky.social, @asveenstra.bsky.social, @macloo.bsky.social, @charlesornstein, @karenho.bsky.social, @nhannahjones, @karenho.bsky.social, @schreckreports, @awgordon.bsky.social, @tomscocca.bsky.social, @nhannahjones, @tomscocca.bsky.social, @cingraham.bsky.social, @macloo.bsky.social, @dicktofel, @shashj, @karaswisher@threads.net, @michaelhobbes.bsky.social, @codendahl and The Wrap
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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:
@fifilamoura@eldritch.cafe, @maripuerta, @froomkin and @JoshuaHolland@mastodon.social
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
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
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 …
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
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
Jaspreet Singh / Reuters:
Sensor Tower: 51 of the top 100 US advertisers on Twitter in October 2022, when Elon Musk bought the company, have ceased ad spending on X as of November 2023 — Big U.S. companies including Walt Disney and Comcast increased advertising spending on Instagram after pausing commercials on X last month …
Joseph Pimentel / Spectrum News 1:
The SCNG Guild's members held a one-day strike on December 14 amid protracted contract talks with Alden's Southern California News Group — LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The union representing Southern California newspaper reporters, photographers and others plans to hold a one-day strike Thursday, protesting working conditions and low pay.
Cristina Criddle / Financial Times:
UK regulator Ofcom investigates TikTok over concerns the company supplied “inaccurate” information about its parental controls; TikTok blames a technical issue — Ofcom's investigation comes amid intensified efforts to protect children from harmful online material
Discussion:
Ofcom, The Guardian and BBC, more at Techmeme »
Parker Molloy / The Present Age:
Two open letters, signed by dozens of Substack writers, criticize and defend the platform's approach to platforming and monetizing Nazis and white nationalists — Last month, The Atlantic published a piece by Jonathan Katz titled “Substack Has a Nazi Problem.”
Discussion:
Fast Company, The Future, Now and Then, @davekarpf.bsky.social, @judedoyle.bsky.social, The Racket, @marisakabas.bsky.social, @kevinmkruse.bsky.social, @jonpennington.bsky.social, @vortexegg.regretfully.online, @judedoyle.bsky.social, @rusty.todayintabs.com, @thorncoyle.bsky.social, @pennyoaken.bsky.social, @thewanderingjew.bsky.social, @radleybalko.bsky.social, @amywestervelt.bsky.social, @judedoyle.bsky.social, @lindseyromain.bsky.social, @hormiga.bsky.social, @carynrose.bsky.social and The Elysian
Emma Roth / The Verge:
YouTube updates its TV app to show longer but less frequent ad breaks, after testing since September 2023, and adds a countdown timer in the bottom-right corner — The next time you sit down to watch YouTube on your TV, you might notice fewer ads breaking up the video you're watching.
Discussion:
9to5Google and The Messenger, more at Techmeme »