Top News:


A look at the term “fact-based journalism”: its rise coincided with “fake news” in 2016, but the term is redundant as all journalism is fact-based — “To describe one form of journalism as ‘fact-based’ is to tacitly acknowledge that there is also such a thing as ‘non-fact-based journalism.’ And there isn't."
Discussion:
Josh M. on LinkedIn, @nw@ioc.exchange and @davidpwhelan@mastodon.world


Startup Fable Studio announces Showrunner, a streaming service that lets users watch AI-generated series and create their own series by writing prompts — Fable, the studio behind the viral AI-generated ‘South Park’ clips, has announced a streaming platform that allows users to create their own content.
Discussion:
The Guardian, Gizmodo, VentureBeat and IndieWire


Moonbug Entertainment names Courtney Holt, previously Spotify's head of studios and video, as managing director for the Americas, taking over from Andy Yeatman — Holt takes over the position from Andy Yeatman, who is departing Moonbug for an unspecified new gig.
Discussion:
Courtney Holt on LinkedIn, The Wrap, Deadline and Advanced Television


Rasmus Nielsen, director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, plans to step down at the end of September; he assumed the role in December 2018 — Mitali Mukherjee will take over as Acting Director from 1 October — The Director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism …


Rest of World retracts an article on WhatsApp misinformation “tip lines” in India after several fact-checking orgs detail how it was “riddled with inaccuracies” — Last week, the technology site Rest of World published a story on the apparent failings of WhatsApp misinformation “tip lines” in India.
Discussion:
@dau_mca and @india_mca, more at Techmeme »


Sampling of King Willonius' AI-generated “BBL Drizzy” creates a new precedent; the recording is public domain but Willonius' lyrics give him publishing rights — After “BBL Drizzy” was sampled in Sexyy Red and Drake's new single “U My Everything,” it required a lawyer to create a procedure for clearing AI samples.
Discussion:
Willonius Hatcher on LinkedIn and Daniel Rowland on LinkedIn


Researchers claim that 2,107 US voters, mostly older, white Republican women, accounted for spreading 80% of the fake news on Twitter during the 2020 election — A pair of studies published Thursday in the journal Science offers evidence not only that misinformation on social media changes minds …
Discussion:
The Hill, @mediaevan, @GreenFire@mstdn.social, Pablo Breuer, Ph.D. on LinkedIn and Science, more at Techmeme »


Sources: Disney and Comcast's NBCUniversal hit an impasse in Disney's buyout plans for NBCU's 33% Hulu stake, with a significant disagreement over valuation — Companies are discussing a Disney buyout of Comcast's stake in streaming service; with a big valuation gap, the prospect of a court battle looms
Discussion:
The Information and @tvgrimreaper


WSJ posts emails between its contributor Ira Stoll and ProPublica, after ProPublica said that Stoll's op-ed about ProPublica having his tax returns was false — Ira Stoll asked the organization if it had his tax return. It stonewalled. — Editor's note: Our contributor Ira Stoll received …
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal and @propublica@threads.net


Iran says Saudi Arabia expelled six of its state media journalists after detaining them for nearly a week; Saudi Arabia claims they violated visa regulations — Iran said Wednesday that Saudi Arabia expelled six members of a crew from its state television broadcaster after they had been detained …


Sources: CNN plans to run ads during its June 27 debate between Biden and Trump, a break from tradition; networks using CNN's feed can also sell their own ads — But they will also be cut off by something else. — CNN plans to run commercials during the event, according to two people familiar …


Hoodline, a network of local news outlets, has been posting AI-written stories under fake bylines; until recently, bylines linked to fake biographical profiles — The articles on a local news site popping up around the country appear to cover what any community outlet would focus on: crime, local politics, weather and happenings.
Discussion:
@hadas_gold, @susanbordson and PolitiFact