Top News:


Kevin Systrom says news sharing app Artifact will shut down after concluding that “the market opportunity isn't big enough to warrant continued investment” — To our Artifact Users and Partners: — We've made the decision to wind down operations of the Artifact app.
Discussion:
TechCrunch, @thomasgermain, @rafat, @loudmouthjulia, @loudmouthjulia, @quillmatiq@threads.net, @chris@threads.net, @griffitherin@threads.net, @martinsfp@threads.net, @artemr, Kaya Yurieff on LinkedIn, @rafat, @nbashaw, @joshuaogundu, @dseetharaman@threads.net, @georgescriban@threads.net, @Jonathanglick@mstdn.social, @jsmarr, @lexnfx, @seanhackbarth, @crumbler@threads.net, @davidclinchnews, @mrjnowlin and The Verge, more at Techmeme »


Platformer is leaving Substack and migrating to Ghost, saying the outlet doesn't believe Substack will publicly commit to proactively removing pro-Nazi material — After much consideration, we have decided to move Platformer off of Substack. Over the next few days, the publication …
Discussion:
Washington Post, New York Times, @brian.fishman.5@threads.net, @davechensky@threads.net, @parismarx@threads.net, @_megconley@threads.net, One Man & His Blog, Media Nation, Quartz, @hunterwalk@threads.net, @vthallam@threads.net, @benedictevans@threads.net, @ricmac@threads.net, John V Willshire on LinkedIn, @dsilverman@threads.net, Search Engine with PJ Vogt, @silvermanbrandon@threads.net, @molly0xfff, @jaredlholt, @molly0xfff, Rolling Stone, @mossbergwalt@threads.net, @benedictevans@threads.net, @alexcox@mastodon.social, @aaronrosspowell@threads.net, @nichcarlson@threads.net, @crumbler@threads.net, @moskov@threads.net, The Wrap, The Verge, @paul_rietschka@threads.net, @pkedrosky@threads.net, @semaforben@threads.net, @taylorlorenz@threads.net, @alexkantrowitz@threads.net, @edzitron@threads.net, @dangillmor@mastodon.social, @0x8007000e@threads.net, @jeffjarvis@threads.net, @crumbler@threads.net and Talking Biz News, more at Techmeme »


MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell says that Fox is not accepting MyPillow ads; a source says ads are paused because Lindell has not paid for his ads since August 2023 — Lindell said he's been ‘canceled,’ but a source with knowledge of the situation said he just hasn't paid his bills


As deepfakes warp elections overseas, US state legislators race to enact laws, with varying penalties, requiring disclosure of the use of AI in political ads — Sophisticated political deepfakes have warped elections overseas. Can U.S. legislators act fast enough to make A.I. campaign ads more transparent?
Discussion:
@votepenelope, more at Techmeme »
RELATED:


Many prominent voice actors say they weren't told about the SAG-AFTRA's deal with Replica Studios setting out how AI-generated voices can be used in video games — Prominent voice actors say they weren't told about a landmark deal setting out how voices generated by artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in games.
Discussion:
SAG-AFTRA, @bluehorizon186, @eliastoufexis, @andrethetruth, @yongyea, @charalanahzard, @g0ffthew, gamedeveloper and NME


A look at TikTok's dogged e-commerce push by subsidizing sales and promoting sellers in user feeds, as ad sales weaken and social media stagnates — It was supposed to be a test. Suddenly hundreds of people were watching. What's going on here? — Over the last four months …
Discussion:
Business Insider, @jwherrman, @svzwood, James Hirst on LinkedIn, The Daily Beast and Business Insider


Sources: RedBird IMI CEO Jeff Zucker met Ofcom officials to make a last pitch and win them over RedBird's Telegraph takeover, ahead of a crucial Ofcom report — Jeff Zucker meets Ofcom ahead of its report on whether takeover backed by Abu Dhabi cash should proceed


CNN, Fox, and MSNBC carried Trump's conference after his NY fraud trial live, a reminder of his media advantage and readiness to exploit his trials — The coverage was a stark reminder that the former president's legal troubles offer an outsize media platform as he pursues the Republican nomination.
Discussion:
Mediaite, Reuters, Adweek, Vanity Fair, Associated Press, The Hollywood Reporter, The Hill and Forbes


Sources: Laurene Powell Jobs is looking to sell half of her stake, or about 10%, in Monumental Sports & Entertainment, owner of the Monumental Sports Network — Billionaire Laurene Powell Jobs is looking to sell a chunk of her stake in Monumental Sports & Entertainment …
Discussion:
@novy_williams, @dylanbyers and @novy_williams


The CW unveils an “evolution” in its logo and brand identity, including dropping “The” from its logo and a new “hot sauce” color palette — The CW is spicing up its look. Timed to Sunday's airing of the Critics Choice Awards, the Nexstar-run netlet is unveiling an …
Discussion:
Chris Spadaccini on LinkedIn, @elplethora, @franklinavenue and @tvgrimreaper


Sources: Universal Music Group plans to cut hundreds of jobs in Q1 2024, as revenue growth slows; in 2022, the company had about 10K employees — - Brunt of firings will fall on the recorded music division — CEO Lucian Grainge talked about impending cuts in October
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Billboard, Reuters, Variety, Caroline Hyde on LinkedIn and @lucas_shaw


Fubo raised the price of all plans by $5/month as of January 10, with the base plan starting at $80/mo, and plans to offer unlimited DVR “in the coming months” — As traditional cable TV bleeds subscribers and more and more folks sign up for online streaming options …
Discussion:
The Verge, @tvgrimreaper, Help Center, Cord Cutters News and The Streamable


A US judge orders Trump to pay $392,638 in legal fees to The New York Times over a “frivolous” 2021 lawsuit he brought against NYT and three of its reporters — A New York state judge ordered former President Donald Trump to pay The New York Times a six-figure legal fee …
Discussion:
The Wrap, The Hill, @susannecraig, The Daily Beast, Deadline, CBS News, @wjcarter, @susannecraig, @markjacob16, @katiephang, Boing Boing, @jason_kint and Rolling Stone