Top News:


CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward describes being held captive by a militia in North Darfur in Sudan for 48 hours — North Darfur, Sudan CNN — “La tasweer! La tasweer!” ("Don't film! Don't film!") the general shouted, his eyes flashing with anger, his jaw clenched as he stormed towards us.
Discussion:
New York Post, The Wrap, Politico, @clarissaward, @_hudsonc and Deadline


Google makes SynthID Text, which lets developers watermark and detect text generated by AI models, generally available — Google is making SynthID Text, its technology that lets developers watermark and detect text generated by generative AI models, generally available.


Poland launches an antitrust probe into Meta for limiting visibility of Facebook posts linking to Polish media; Meta cited legal doubts over a new copyright law — Poland's Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has launched an investigation into Meta, the owner of Facebook …
Discussion:
@uokikgovpl


Jefferies says the anime market in North America has grown from $1.6B in 2018 to $4B in 2024, as once-niche anime is shaping up as Japan's next big export — As Japanese animation and comics go global, opportunities abound for investors — Move over, Marvel. The next blockbuster entertainment franchise might come from Japan.
Discussion:
Douglas Montgomery on LinkedIn and Semafor


The NewsGuild of New York files an NLRB unfair labor practice charge against the NYT, claiming management violated rules by interrogating staff about strikes — - “While we respect the union's right to engage in protected actions, threatening a strike at this time feels both unnecessary …
Discussion:
@crguildny, @sarafischer, @bymikedavis, @anastasiakeeley and NewsGuild of New York


Bloomberg Media says it added 200K subscriptions in the past four months, and launches a magazine-style Weekend Edition led by ex-Quartz EIC Katherine Bell — Bloomberg Media says it has added 200,000 subscriptions in the last four months as part of a growth plan that also saw it launch a new …


The UK's Reach plans to hire 60 new editorial staff, including “audience writers” and “general assignment journalists”, after cutting 700 staff in 2023 — Reach has said it is hiring 60 new editorial staff which will include “audience writers” and “general assignment journalists”.
Discussion:
HoldtheFrontPage


Yahoo News partners with McAfee to utilize its deepfake image detection tech to identify pictures and photos that may have been generated or altered by AI — Yahoo News is bringing in a partner to help keep misinformation at bay. — The news-distribution giant, the holder …


Q&A with Benjamin Toff, recently senior research fellow at the Reuters Institute, about how news avoidance could shape the US election and candidates' tactics — “News avoiders see journalists as part of a disconnected elite,” says Benjamin Toff, who led our Trust in News Project and authored a book on the subject
Discussion:
American Press Institute


Joseph Gordon-Levitt criticizes AI, calling Hollywood a “canary in the coal mine” for other industries, and says studios “own the IP and I don't own any of it” — Actor says AI companies use movies and TV to make money without fairly compensating actors; industry should ‘get ahead of that flood’


With aid from Journalism Funding Partners, a retired Chicago Tribune architecture critic funded his replacement, a biweekly architecture columnist at the outlet — After the Chicago Tribune didn't replace retiring architecture critic Blair Kamin, he funded his own successor
Discussion:
@troutgirl.bsky.social


TikTok brings its STEM feed to all users in the US, the UK, and Ireland by default to help find educational content, after launching the feed to under-18 users — TikTok announced on Wednesday that it's bringing its STEM feed to all users in the United States, United Kingdom, and Ireland by default.