Top News:
Thomas Claburn / The Register:
Matt Mullenweg says WP Engine no longer has free WordPress.org access and WP Engine customers having trouble with their sites should contact WP Engine support — WordPress on Wednesday escalated its conflict with WP Engine, a hosting provider, by blocking the latter's servers …
Discussion:
WordPress News, TechRadar, WP Engine's Status Page, @bgardner, @pressable, @automattic, @tmeister, @bgardner, @rmccue, @wpdavidv, @thedannorris, @patchstackapp, @fjzeit, @shendison, @joshmanders, @mrlanphear, @williamsba, @timbouchard, @stshank, @tomfrankly, @danielcid, @vinnysgreen, @itsdavemartin, @dcurtis, @t3dotgg, Dave Martin, @slexaxton, @tealou, @benjmay, @thespacedmonkey, @seldo, @jbenton, @bretcarmichael@mastodon …, @photomatt, @carlhancock, @dvk@toot.re, @runakog@threads.net, @Kye@tech.lgbt, @ozskier, @photomatt, @davidtaggart, @photomatt, @mgeheren, @jalefkowit@vmst.io, @bgardner, @keithdevon, @taraclaeys, @chris@mastodon …, TechCrunch, Search Engine Journal, @viewfromthebox, @Jayhoffmann@mastodon.social, @raymmar_, @photomatt, @photomatt, @deviorobert, @wordpress and @photomatt, more at Techmeme »
RELATED:
Matt Mullenweg:
Matt Mullenweg says Automattic has “been attempting to make a licensing deal” with WP Engine “for a very long time, and all they have done has string us along” — In short, WP Engine is violating WordPress' trademarks. Moreover, they have been doing so for years.
Discussion:
@photomatt@mastodon.social and Search Engine Journal, more at Techmeme »
Marci McCue / Flipboard:
Flipboard says it is federating 250 publisher profiles and 4,000 of their curated Magazines, including ABC News, the AP, The Atlantic, PBS, and USA Today — BYMARCI MCCUE — Today Flipboard is federating 250 publisher profiles and 4,000 of their curated Magazines, making it possible …
Discussion:
@mike@flipboard.social, @Flipboard@flipboard.social and @tchambers@indieweb.social
Angela Fu / Poynter:
A Muck Rack survey of 402 US journalists found that their primary sources of stress include workload, salary, and the expectation that they always be “on” — A Muck Rack survey found high levels of burnout and exhaustion among journalists. One potential reason? The upcoming election.
Discussion:
@risj_oxford, @jackcarterbenjamin …, Muck Rack, MediaPost and r/Journalism
Alan Wong / Bloomberg:
Hong Kong District Court sentences now-shuttered Stand News editor Chung Pui-kuen to 21 months in prison, the first jailing of a journalist on sedition charges — - Jailing adds to cases fueling concerns over press freedom — Offense carries maximum penalty of two years in prison
Discussion:
New York Times, Hong Kong Free Press HKFP, KSTP-TV, Associated Press and Reuters
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
The London Standard launches its first weekly edition with an AI-generated picture of Keir Starmer and a feature about London's potential as an AI capital — The first edition of the weekly London Standard features an AI-generated picture of Prime Minister Keir Starmer on its front page.
Discussion:
The Media Leader
Joshua Benton / Nieman Lab:
A look at Project 2025's plans for the news media, including defunding NPR, PBS, and other public broadcasters and removing restrictions on media ownership — From defunding NPR and PBS to kicking reporters out of the White House, it's an array of conservative priorities and Trumpian retreads.
Discussion:
TVNewsCheck, @froomkin, @jillgeisler, @johnastoehr, @newsjennifer, @laurengbarton, @jbenton and Tong Li on LinkedIn
Rasmus Larsen / FlatpanelsHD:
LG rolls out full-screen screensaver ads to its smart TVs, including its expensive OLED models; the ads, on by default, can be disabled — Even if you buy one of the most expensive TV models today, you cannot escape ads. LG is rolling out screensaver ads, including ads for things completely unrelated to the TV experience.
Discussion:
Advanced Television, TechRadar, Ars Technica, Digital Trends, Streaming Better and Media Play News, more at Techmeme »
Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter:
Disney officially launches its password sharing crackdown; users can add an “Extra Member” for $6.99/month for Disney+ Basic or $9.99/month for Disney+ Premium — The company rolled out what it is calling its paid sharing policy this week, letting users add a member outside their household …
Discussion:
The Walt Disney Company, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, Cord Cutters News, The Verge, AV Club, Deadline, Quartz, Media Play News, Engadget, Streaming Better, The Streamable, Los Angeles Times, Variety, The Wrap, BGR, @juwanthecurator.bsky.social, @wagatwe.com, Consequence and 9to5Mac, more at Techmeme »
Deadline:
Sources: Disney is laying off ~300 people in the US in corporate operations, including in communications; ESPN, Disney Entertainment, and parks are not affected — Disney is in the middle of a new wave of cuts as part of a “cost-saving initiative,” sources tell Deadline.
Discussion:
@tvgrimreaper, Bloomberg, The Wrap and Variety
Adi Robertson / The Verge:
Mark Zuckerberg says Meta will likely strike “certain partnerships” for AI training content, but some publishers may be overestimating their content's value — 'If they demanded that we don't use their content, then we just wouldn't use their content.'
iMore:
iMore, which covers Apple products and services and is owned by Future PLC, says it will no longer post new content; its forum will stay active until November 1 — Time to power down for good. — Dig out your old iPod and fire up your ‘Songs to cry to’ playlist, I come bearing sad news.