Top News:
Washington Post:
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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Taylor Lorenz / Washington Post:
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
David Folkenflik / NPR:
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
Alexandra Alter / New York Times:
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
Peter White / Deadline:
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.
Financial Times:
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
Varun Vyas / Reuters:
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
Financial 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 »
Benjamin Mullin / New York Times:
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.
Wired:
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.
Emma Roth / The Verge:
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 »
Nick Vivarelli / Variety:
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