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The TikTok bill likely will spur a battle over the First Amendment and national security if it becomes law; TikTok's CEO vows to use the company's legal rights — The forced-sale measure has reinvigorated a debate over speech, national security and government power.
Discussion:
The Hill, Techdirt, New York Times, NPR, Engadget, New York Magazine, @taylorlorenz@mastodon.social, @tiktokpolicy, Media Nation, BGR, Observer, Los Angeles Times, Gizmodo, @drewharwell@mastodon.social, Electronic Frontier Foundation, New York Post, 9to5Mac and Music Ally, more at Techmeme »
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Small-business owners, educators, and activists who rely on TikTok say the US House measure forcing a sale or ban threatens their livelihoods and the economy — Small-business owners, community advocates and educators spoke out Wednesday after the House overwhelmingly approved a measure to ban the popular app


The family of slain Ukrainian journalist Oleksandra Kuvshynova files a wrongful death suit against Fox News, saying Fox didn't adequately protect the team — On the second anniversary of a young journalist's killing in Ukraine, her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Fox News …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Deadline, Columbia Journalism Review, CNN and Fox News


American Library Association report says book challenges reached a record high on 4,240 in 2023, up from 2,571 in 2022 — Book challenges around the country reached the highest levels ever recorded by a library organization. — After several years of rising book bans …
Discussion:
The Hollywood Reporter, News and Press Center, UPI, Publishers Weekly and Axios


Former Apple and Hulu executive Peter Distad is named CEO of the sports-focused streaming joint venture backed by Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery — The upcoming sports streaming service from Disney, Fox & Warner Bros. Discovery has found its boss.


Sources: RedBird IMI is leaning toward selling the Telegraph Media Group or it may bring in US investors to replace Abu Dhabi's cash — Venture between US-based RedBird and Abu Dhabi's IMI is aiming to recoup £600mn investment — RedBird IMI is leaning towards a full sale …
Discussion:
The Guardian, Mediaite, Bloomberg and The Wrap


Disney's Star India starts arbitration proceedings against Zee Entertainment for alleged non-compliance with the terms of a cricket broadcasting agreement — Walt Disney (DIS.N)-owned Star India has started arbitration proceedings against Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEE.NS) …
Discussion:
The Economic Times


Sources: TikTok's US revenue hit a record $16B in 2023 while ByteDance saw revenue grow ~40% YoY to $120B in 2023 and recorded a $28B net profit — Parent company ByteDance on track to become world's biggest social media group with $120bn in global sales — TikTok has hit $16bn in sales in the US …
Discussion:
New York Post and New York Times, more at Techmeme »


Sports Illustrated's operators told staff the magazine would end its print edition after May; the message runs counter to owner Authentic Brands' earlier stance — Its operators made a newsroom announcement, but the outcome is uncertain since the owner has signaled it wants the magazine to endure.


Interviews with 60+ people, including current and ex-Reddit employees and moderators, document Reddit's history, attempts to imitate Clubhouse and Twitch, more — An army of more than 60,000 unpaid moderators has unprecedented power over Reddit. The company's future hinges on whether they can coexist with Wall Street's expectations.


Spotify emails the European Commission to say Apple is holding up an iPhone app update that adds pricing information and links to its subscription options — In an email to the European Commission obtained by The Verge, Spotify writes that Apple has “neither acknowledged nor responded …
Discussion:
iMore, Music Ally, CMU, Digital Music News, @carnage4life@mas.to, 9to5Mac and AppleInsider, more at Techmeme »


An Iranian court clears Oscar-winning director Asghar Farhadi of accusations of plagiarism from a former student for his 2021 film A Hero — Two-time Oscar-winning director Asghar Farhadi has been fully cleared by an Iranian court of allegations of plagiarism pertaining to his film “A Hero” …
Discussion:
The Hollywood Reporter, Agence France-Presse, Radio Free Europe/Radio …, The Hindu and The Wrap