Top News:
Washington Post:
The Washington Post says it knew about the upside-down US flag at Justice Alito's house in 2021 but did not report it as it didn't seem related to politics — In January 2021, Martha-Ann Alito said the flag, a symbol embraced by election deniers, was raised outside her home in response to a neighborhood dispute.
Discussion:
Law Dork, WSVN-TV, The Hill, @gwynnion.bsky.social, @bgrueskin, @phostetlerart.bsky.social, @chuckgraef@threads.net, @mhageraus@threads.net, @KimPerales@toad.social, @davidrlurie, @mstbrooks.bsky.social, @ravishinginplaid@threads.net, @joshuafoust@appdot.net, @mikekeating.bsky.social, @bespacific@newsie.social, @4thstringer.bsky.social, @brianstelter, @mirandayaver@threads.net, @newsjennifer, @beardedstoner.bsky.social, @ronhogan.bsky.social, @markjacobnews@threads.net, @kcivey@mastodon.social, @mickeleh@threads.net, @reevesjw, @elienyc, @jaywillis, @mickeleh@threads.net, @mikiebarb, @spocko@mastodon.online, @carlquintanilla, @wendycortiz.bsky.social, @ckupf.bsky.social, @jeffjarvis@threads.net, @markjacobnews@threads.net, @muellershewrote, @ahmed.baba_@threads.net, @JamesWNeal@mstdn.social, @jerrymberger, @mossbergwalt@threads.net, @Greengordon@spore.social, Mediaite, @keitholbermann, @jackmjenkins, @paulconstant.com, @unmanageable22, Fox News, @nycsouthpaw@threads.net, @tiny.baby, @tokyosreckoning.bsky.social, @perednialynne@threads.net, Media Nation and New York Times
Washington Post:
National Geographic pulled the documentary Retrograde from all its platforms after the Taliban killed an Afghan mine-clearer the 2022 film prominently featured — National Geographic has pulled the Emmy-winning film “Retrograde” from its streaming platforms after criticism from veterans and inquiries from The Washington Post.
Discussion:
Telegraph, @ryp__, @sawyerdane, @honosuteyo, @roigfranzia, @hopeseck, Michael M on LinkedIn and @nickkristof
Rest of World:
A test of 11 WhatsApp-based fact-checking “tip lines” during elections in India finds long delays and inconsistencies in responses — Rest of World tested 11 leading WhatsApp-based chatbots that promise to help Indian voters identify misinformation.
Discussion:
@phadketai, @restofworld and @russellbrandom, more at Techmeme »
Variety:
Sony India head NP Singh plans to step down, after a merger with Zee collapsed in January, citing age and personal reasons; Singh has been at SPNI for 25 years — NP Singh, the well-respected head of Sony's entertainment businesses in India, is to step down. — The announcement was made on Friday local time.
Discussion:
Deadline
Jacky Wong / Wall Street Journal:
A look at Sony's entertainment unit, which accounted for ~60% of Sony revenue in FY 2023, up from 30% a decade ago, ahead of a potential Paramount deal — Company aims to make better use of intellectual property across gaming, films and more — Sony is well known for gadgets …
Discussion:
Deadline, The Streamable, Reuters and The Wrap
Vivian Lee / Northwest Asian Weekly:
The publisher of Seattle's Northwest Asian Weekly sells the outlet to four local partners, seven months after donating the Seattle Chinese Post to a nonprofit — After decades of nurturing one of the most influential Asian American community media publications in the Pacific Northwest …
Chattanooga Times Free Press:
Carpenter Media acquires 10 newspapers in Alabama and Georgia and a Georgia printing facility from Community Newspaper Holdings — The Carpenter Media Group announced Thursday it has acquired the Dalton Daily Citizen in North Georgia as part of an acquisition of 10 newspapers and a Valdosta …
Discussion:
Editor and Publisher, The Tribune-Democrat and Media Nation
Ben Cohen / Wall Street Journal:
Apple Music's “100 Best Albums” list, based on votes from about 250 employees, artists, and industry executives, is eclectic, unpredictable, and controversial — Why did a trillion-dollar company make a music list that would make people lose their minds?
Discussion:
Apple Music, Variety, DJ Mag, The Hollywood Reporter, @obsofdeviance.bsky.social, @deadline, @carrasquillo, Barstool Backstage on YouTube, @erniesuggs, @therourke, @abcnewslive, UPROXX, @zearl, Entertainment Weekly, @abbydphillip, @variety, @judgedillard, @stoolbackstage, @applemusic, @jermainedupri, CBS News, TMZ, Deadline and Music Ally, more at Techmeme »
Doja Daoud / Committee to Protect Journalists:
Q&A with Gaza journalist Shrouq Al Aila, on the difficulty of her outlet Ain Media's work given a dearth of equipment and the cost of internet, and more — Gaza journalists Shrouq Al Aila and Roshdi Sarraj were on a work trip in Saudi Arabia last fall when their home became a war zone.
Discussion:
Doja Daoud on LinkedIn
Dominic Ponsford / Press Gazette:
UK passes the Media Bill, repealing the not-yet-enacted Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act, which required publishers to pay all court costs, win or lose — The Media Bill has been passed removing the threat of state-backed press regulation and modernising broadcasting regulations for the streaming age.
Discussion:
AppleInsider, Press Gazette and Game Developer
Janko Roettgers / Lowpass:
Comparisons between streaming bundles and the cable bundle are misplaced: the latter was much more expensive and had channels viewers didn't want and junk fees — Like comparing apples to a $125 fruit salad — In light of this week's news that Comcast is now offering a bundle of Netflix …
Discussion:
@tvgrimreaper
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Leave the World Behind was the most-watched title on Netflix globally in H2 2023, with 121M views, while One Piece was the most-watched series, with 71.6M views — Dystopian thriller “Leave the World Behind” was the most-watched film — and title overall — on Netflix globally in the second half of 2023 …
Discussion:
About Netflix, Screen Rant, Awful Announcing, Davy Cox on LinkedIn, @jake_kanter, Marion Boeri on LinkedIn, Adam Woodgate on LinkedIn, Jerome Mazandarani on LinkedIn, Deadline, @emohorgan, @marypot, @jgolden5, @shamankingnews, @loudmouthjulia, @joshacarpenter, @podkatz, @kasey__moore, @kasey__moore, @whatonnetflix, @whatonnetflix, @zonozi, Business Insider, Polygon, Business Insider, The A.V. Club, Benzinga, Screen Rant, Deadline, The Streamable, Next TV, Digital Trends, Deadline, Media Play News, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Bollywood and The Wrap