Top News:
Bloomberg:
Sources: Disney and FuboTV near a deal as part of which Disney will fold Hulu + Live TV into Fubo, and Fubo will drop Venu Sports litigation; FUBO jumps 30%+ — - Fubo to drop litigation related to Venu Sports as part of deal — Disney will own majority stake in new venture with Fubo
Discussion:
Matt Tamanini / The Streamable: Hulu + Live TV and Fubo are reportedly close to a merger
Dawn Chmielewski / TVNewsCheck: Disney, Fox & WB To Ask Court To Lift Ban On Launch Of Venu Sports Service
Deborah Sophia / Reuters: Disney nears deal to merge Hulu + Live TV business into Fubo, Bloomberg News reports
Alex Weprin / The Hollywood Reporter: Disney to Merge Hulu + Live TV With Fubo, Taking on YouTube TV and Ending Venu Suit
Chris Harihar / @chrisharihar: Damn, good for Fubo, I guess. What does @RichLightShed think about this? 🤔
@knox_vol865: It's funny how all this stuff takes so long. Like hurray we're back to cable. College football (soon to be NFL jr) is the same way
David Clinch / @davidclinchnews: They will need lots of content to make this work.
@mikestrawmedia: Remember when the whole point of cord cutting was for competition and cheaper alternatives? It's almost like we're right back to where we were before.
Alexandra Canal / @allie_canal: And the M&A storm apparently kicks off for 2025... 🤯
@frankthetank111: Interesting implications for sports fans here as this would drop Fubo's lawsuit that is blocking the Venu sports offering from Disney, Fox and WBD. Fubo also has been carrying more RSNs compared to Hulu Live TV+.
@tvanswerman: FWIW, Hulu Live is already the second largest live streamer. Adding Fubo, however, would put it closer to YouTube TV which has around 8 million subs. Hulu Live/Fubo would be around 6.5M.
Luke Bouma / Cord Cutters News: Disney's Hulu + live TV and Fubo to Reportedly Merge Live TV Businesses As Fubo Would Drop Its Lawsuit
Phil Santiago / @philthepill.online: That Hulu live TV option is going to hit $100 per month this year. [embedded post]
Matthew Keys / @matthewkeyslive: This is going to create additional antitrust legal challenges for both companies. Expect another pay TV company to sue over Venu Sports, and for another party to sue over the Fubo-Disney deal. $DIS $FUBO
Michelle F. Davis / @michellef_davis: scoop: Disney is nearing a deal to combine Hulu + Live with Fubo, forming the 2nd biggest digital pay-TV provider behind Youtube, sources say. As part of the deal, Fubo plans to drop its legal claims over Venu Sports. story w/ @Lucas_Shaw & Palmeri. Link coming shortly $DIS $FUBO
Ann Telnaes / Open Windows:
Ann Telnaes, a Pulitzer-winning cartoonist at WaPo since 2008, quits, saying WaPo killed her cartoon showing Bezos and other execs currying favor with Trump — Democracy can't function without a free press — I've worked for the Washington Post since 2008 as an editorial cartoonist.
Discussion:
How Things Work, Le Monde, Poynter, AAEC, TVNewsCheck, CNN, NPR, The Times, Raw Story, NBC News, Newser, Lawyers, Guns & Money, CNBC, Finding Gravity, BBC, OutsideTheBeltway, The Daily Cartoonist, @mariselmoralesnyc@threads.net, The Post Millennial, Mother Jones, @tarahaelle.bsky.social, @mcuban.bsky.social, Breitbart, @melindas.bsky.social, Balloon Juice, The Moderate Voice, @lifesafeast.bsky.social, @alwirtes@indieweb.social, Terence on LinkedIn, @judell@social.coop, @ZhiZhu@newsie.social, @gleick@mas.to, @davidfolkenflik, @davidfolkenflik, Daily Mail, ABC, The Daily Caller, @dangillmor@mastodon.social, Newsbusters, Associated Press, The Mahablog, New York Times, Oregonian, Amy Siskind on LinkedIn, @mona-westen.bsky.social, @jonathan-watts.bsky.social, @returnstosender.bsky.social, RedState, @glenjackson.bsky.social, @djkirkbride.bsky.social, @sarahkaplan48.bsky.social, Althouse, @mrsbettybowers.bsky.social, Politico, @parentsforfuture.de, @chrisbritt.bsky.social, The Hill, @gebem.bsky.social, The Guardian, Fox News, Media Nation, Washington Times, @john-b-des-moines.bsky.social, @tadrow.bsky.social, Digby's Hullabaloo, @deanobeidallah.bsky.social, The Japan Times, @benmullin, @andycraig.bsky.social, Boing Boing, @rudepundit.bsky.social, @petersagal.bsky.social, @jkbjournalist.bsky.social, Crooks and Liars, @jael.bsky.social, Diane Ravitch's blog, Business Insider, Wait - what ?, @lolagaylec.bsky.social, The Gateway Pundit, @jeffjarvis.bsky.social, @gilltav.bsky.social, @profgabrielle.bsky.social, Rolling Stone, The Boston Globe, @carlosdiazruiz.com, @joparkerbear.bsky.social, @davidcorn.bsky.social, Today's Edition Newsletter, @marc.e.elias@threads.net, @deangloster.bsky.social, @jonahblank.bsky.social, @charlotteclymer.bsky.social, @zey.bsky.social, @edroso.bsky.social, Deadline, @marcelias.bsky.social, @gtconway.bsky.social, @rickstengel.bsky.social, Mediaite, @amysiskind.bsky.social, @michaelsocolow.bsky.social, @bagleycartoons.bsky.social, @harrymccracken.com, @oliverdarcy.bsky.social, @bartongellman.bsky.social, @SKleefeld@mastodon.social, @heissenstat.bsky.social, The Wrap, @nicholasgrossman.bsky.social, @davidakaye.bsky.social, @heidilifeldman.mastodon …, @karaswisher.bsky.social, @brianbeutler.bsky.social, @katzish.bsky.social, @emptywheel.bsky.social, @davidenrich.bsky.social, @danmitchell.bsky.social, @joshscherr.bsky.social, @digiphile.bsky.social, @joshsternberg.com, @tisserand.bsky.social, @tusk81@mastodon.social, @jeffjarvis.bsky.social, @chrchristensen.bsky.social, @kamadodavid.bsky.social, @marcelorinesi.bsky.social, @bgrueskin.bsky.social, @aaronschaffer.com, @phillewis.bsky.social, @eloquence@social.coop, @willbunch.bsky.social, @bgrueskin.bsky.social, @gilduran.bsky.social, @acdha@thepit.social, @lauren@mastodon …, @tomtomorrow.bsky.social, HuffPost and r/Journalism
Discussion:
Hamilton Nolan / How Things Work: It's Not Looking Great
Arnaud Leparmentier / Le Monde: ‘Washington Post’ cartoonist resigns after sketch depicting a Trump-wooing Bezos was rejected
David Folkenflick / TVNewsCheck: Pulitzer Winner Quits Washington Post After Cartoon On Bezos Is Killed
CNN: Washington Post cartoonist resigns over paper's refusal to publish satirical cartoon of Bezos and Trump
David Folkenflik / NPR: A Pulitzer winner quits ‘Washington Post’ after a cartoon on Bezos is killed
D. Earl Stephens / Raw Story: How the groveling Washington Post got it so terribly wrong
Scott Lemieux / Lawyers, Guns & Money: Collaboration, not acquiescence — I think Jamison Foser is correct that while it's useful …
Jamison Foser / Finding Gravity: No, Jeff Bezos is not “obeying in advance”
Steven L. Taylor / OutsideTheBeltway: WaPo Editorial Cartoonist Quits
Mike Peterson / The Daily Cartoonist: CSotD: Telnaes is only unemployed, not gone
Marisel Morales / @mariselmoralesnyc@threads.net: Bringing over that Rupert Murdoch-trained British mutt from London to be the @washingtonpost CEO & publisher was a brilliant idea if the goal was to destroy a venerable institution. If I were Bezos, I'd fire whoever is advising him on his publishing and cinematic forays. …
Hayden Cunningham / The Post Millennial: Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist quits Washington Post after claiming censorship of Jeff Bezos cartoon
Julianne McShane / Mother Jones: Jeff Bezos' Media Companies Kiss Trump's Ring...Again
Tara Haelle / @tarahaelle.bsky.social: Disney, Bezos, Zuck, LA Times owner Soon-Shiong...all falling over themselves to pucker up for Trump. It's disgusting. Editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes sketched a cartoon criticizing this anti-democratic behavior. Washington Post refused to run it. So she quit. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Mark Cuban / @mcuban.bsky.social: Does anyone have a contact for Ann ? Would love to discuss with her the possibility of partnering with her to publish her cartoons exclusively on @bluesky [embedded post]
Olivia Rondeau / Breitbart: Washington Post Cartoonist Resigns After Jeff Bezos-Donald Trump Cartoon Killed
Melinda M. Snodgrass / @melindas.bsky.social: This is what obeying in advance looks like & it's horrifying what Bezos is doing to the once storied Washington Post. My friend Bill Banosky just finished a documentary about the legendary political cartoonish Oliphant & it couldn't be more timely & prescient. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
The Moderate Voice: DEMOCRACY DIES IN DAYLIGHT, TOO? AWARD WINNING WASHINGTON POST COLUMNIST QUITS AFTER CARTOON SHOWING BEZOS AND OTHERS PAYING TRIBUTE TO TRUMP IS KILLED
Jamie Schler / @lifesafeast.bsky.social: From @deadder.bsky.social in support of @anntelnaes.bsky.social 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 [image]
Al Wirtes / @alwirtes@indieweb.social: Why I'm quitting the Washington Post - by Ann Telnaes — No billionaire-owned media should ever be called “the free press.” — https://anntelnaes.substack.com/ ...
Terence / Terence on LinkedIn: While I'm sad to see Ann leave, this juncture was inevitable ever since the WashPo so cravenly and disgracefully failed her back in 2015 …
Jon Udell / @judell@social.coop: “As an editorial cartoonist, my job is to hold powerful people and institutions accountable. For the first time, my editor prevented me from doing that critical job. So I have decided to leave the *Post*.” — https://anntelnaes.substack.com/ ... Not everyone can afford to do that. …
Zhi Zhu / @ZhiZhu@newsie.social: Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes (who is amazing) has quit the Washington Post because the editors killed her editorial cartoon poking fun at the CEOs and tech-bros (including Jeff Bezos) prostrating themselves before Trump. — Here, in her own words, is the reason she quit: …
James Gleick / @gleick@mas.to: You may have noticed the parade of tech and media billionaires prostrating themselves at the feet of the grifter-in-chief. The political cartoonist Ann Telnaes certainly did—but the Washington Post killed her cartoon. She has resigned. — https://anntelnaes.substack.com/ ...
David Folkenflik / @davidfolkenflik: My interview w Pulitzer winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes about her resignation from WaPo over killed sketch on tech titans, including Bezos “They own a newspaper and they have an obligation, frankly, to protect the free press.” https://www.npr.org/...
David Folkenflik / @davidfolkenflik: From my story: 300,000 people canceled digital subscriptions to Wash Post between Oct 24, when NPR revealed Bezos's decision to kill a planned endorsement of VP Harris, and Election Night
Stephen M. Lepore / Daily Mail: Why Washington Post cartoonist QUIT over this risky drawing that the paper rejected
Esther Linder / ABC: Washington Post cartoonist resigns after cartoon satirising newspaper's owner Jeff Bezos and Trump rejected
John Oyewale / The Daily Caller: 'I've Never Had A Cartoon Killed ... Until Now': WaPo Cartoonist Quits After Critical Sketch Pulled From Publication
Dan Gillmor / @dangillmor@mastodon.social: A journalist quits her Washington Post gig rather than be part of an organization that kowtows to Trump world. — Some of her former colleagues, meanwhile, not only keep working there but are actively supporting Elon Musk by actively participating on his platform, where democracy and (honest) journalism are held in pure contempt by the boss and his countless acolytes. …
Tim Graham / Newsbusters: WashPost Cartoonist QUITS After Editor Spiked Her Jeff Bezos-Mocking Cartoon
Associated Press: Washington Post cartoonist quits after paper rejects sketch of Jeff Bezos bowing to Donald Trump
Maha / The Mahablog: What Is and Isn't Reported — It turns out the Las Vegas Tesla cybertruck guy had a political motive after all.
Benjamin Mullin / New York Times: Washington Post Cartoonist Quits After Jeff Bezos Cartoon Is Killed
Amy Worden / Oregonian: Washington Post cartoonist quits after cartoon satirizing owner Jeff Bezos is killed
Amy Siskind / Amy Siskind on LinkedIn: One of the best (if not *the* best) cartoonists in the biz, Ann Telnaes, has resigned from The Washington Post over their refusal to publish this cartoon …
Mona Westen / @mona-westen.bsky.social: Men with lucrative gov contracts & an interest in eliminating regulations making their way to Mar-a-lago. — Zuckerberg/Facebook & Meta founder & CEO, Sam Altman/AI CEO, Soon-Shiong/LA Times publisher, the Walt Disney Co /ABC News & Bezos/Washington Post owner. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui... …
Jonathan Watts / @jonathan-watts.bsky.social: Chilling taste of the rising threat to media freedom in the United States. A cartoon critical of tech billionaires for kowtowing to Donald Trump has been spiked by the Washington Post, which is owned by tech billionaire Jeff Bezos. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui... [image]
Sasha Senderovich / @returnstosender.bsky.social: Fuck @washingtonpost.com for groveling before a wannabe dictator. Mouthpiece for an oligarch is all that's left of the paper. Bravo @anntelnaes.bsky.social for her principal stand against editorial encroachment on a political cartoonist's freedom of expression anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Jerry Wilson / RedState: Washington Post Political Cartoonist Throws Temper Tantrum for the Ages Over Request to be Professional
Glen Jackson / @glenjackson.bsky.social: Bury the Press at Bended Knee. — Ann Telnaes, cartoonist for The Washington Post, resigned last night. The reason was the Post's censoring of art by her that was too truthful for the editors of the paper that had adopted the motto: “democracy dies in darkness.” — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui... …
D.J. Kirkbride / @djkirkbride.bsky.social: This post contains a comic Jeff Bozos wouldn't let his Washington Post publish, leading the artist, Ann Telnaes, to quit. — Just in case you want to share it with everyone you know.
Sarah Kaplan / @sarahkaplan48.bsky.social: Once again reflecting on former Post owner Eugene Meyer's “Seven principles for the conduct of a newspaper”: — “The newspaper's duty is to its readers and to the public at large, and not to the private interests of the owner.” — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Ann Althouse / Althouse: “Not every editorial judgment is a reflection of a malign force. My decision was guided by the fact that we had just published a column on the same topic as the cartoon...”
Mrs. Betty Bowers / @mrsbettybowers.bsky.social: I think it's funny how no one questioned the identity of the deeply unflattering caricature of Jeff Bezos. And I wonder how much of a role that played in getting the cartoon killed. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing / Politico: Washington Post cartoonist quits after cartoon satirizing Jeff Bezos is rejected
@parentsforfuture.de: “Why I'm quitting the Washington Post — Democracy can't function without a free press” — @anntelnaes.bsky.social (Pulitzer prize winning former Editorial Cartoonist for the @washingtonpost.com) — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui... [embedded post]
@chrisbritt.bsky.social: From my friend and colleague, Ann Telnaes. The WAPost does not deserve her talents. Herblock, one of the most influential cartoonists in history ... when he was slinging ink for the WAPost, would be outraged over this. — shttps://anntelnaes.substack.com/p/ why-im-quitting-the-washington- post
Sophia Vento / The Hill: Washington Post cartoonist says editors axed cartoon depicting Trump, Bezos
Gebe Martinez / @gebem.bsky.social: ICYMI: Sharing this cartoon again in support of #AnnTalnaes, Pulitzer Award-winning political cartoonist who ended her 16-yr career with #WashingtonPost after her editor killed it. Cartoon shows tech/media billionaires kowtowing to #Trump, as widely reported. anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui... …
Ramon Antonio Vargas / The Guardian: Washington Post cartoonist resigns over paper's refusal to publish cartoon critical of Jeff Bezos
Fox News: Washington Post cartoonist quits after paper pulls her cartoon depicting Post owner Bezos groveling to Trump
Dan Kennedy / Media Nation: The Washington Post suffers another self-inflicted blow as Ann Telnaes quits over a killed cartoon
Brad Matthews / Washington Times: Washington Post cartoonist quits after depiction of Bezos kneeling to Trump was axed
John B Des Moines / @john-b-des-moines.bsky.social: Jeff Bezos' genuflection to Trump is rightly causing a movement of staff out of WaPo. Here, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist @anntelnaes.bsky.social explains her reasons. She does fantastic work, btw. anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
@tadrow.bsky.social: Don't forget to share her Substack (as loath as I am to share from there) — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Dean Obeidallah / @deanobeidallah.bsky.social: Must read: “Why I'm quitting the Washington Post” by — Ann Telnaes who worked at Post since 2008 as editorial cartoonist. Editors killed her cartoon depicting oligarchs like Jeff Bezos, Zuckerberg bowing down to Trump and offering him $. Democracy is dying: anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Ben Mullin / @benmullin: news: Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes says she's quitting the newspaper after a cartoon depicting Post owner Jeff Bezos and other billionaires genuflecting toward President-Elect Trump was killed https://anntelnaes.substack.com/ ...
Andy Craig / @andycraig.bsky.social: Nothing against the artists, but I don't think of editorial cartoons as particularly important or interesting. But... that's not the point. What matters is it's another confirmation Bezos will not let anything he dislikes appear in the Post, and will lie about it, and so their credibility is ruined.
Ruben Bolling / Boing Boing: Editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes resigns from The Washington Post when her cartoon criticizing Bezos is killed
@rudepundit.bsky.social: By killing the cartoon, the editors proved the point of the cartoon. Just pathetic. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Peter Sagal / @petersagal.bsky.social: Back when Bezos spiked the Post's endorsement of Harris, I assured you all that he and his management weren't censoring the journalists, because if they tried, the journalists would let us know. Sad to note I was right. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Julie K. Brown / @jkbjournalist.bsky.social: What has happened to American journalism. anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Jael Holzman / @jael.bsky.social: When a veteran political cartoonist quits a paper of record alleging censorship like what's described here... 😬 — “For the first time, my editor prevented me from doing [my] critical job” — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Rebecca Rommen / Business Insider: A Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist said she quit The Washington Post after her Jeff Bezos cartoon was killed
Dreaminginthedeepsouth / Wait - what ?: More “obeying in advance” by the Washington Post — I haven't referred or cited …
Lola Gayle / @lolagaylec.bsky.social: It's lovely seeing people stand up for what is right. — Ann Telnaes - Why I'm quitting the Washington Post — Democracy can't function without a free press
Cassandra MacDonald / The Gateway Pundit: Washington Post's Pulitzer Prize Winning Cartoonist Quits After the Paper Spiked a Comic Mocking its Owner, Jeff Bezos
@jeffjarvis.bsky.social: In case you missed this last night, principled @anntelnaes.bsky.social quit the #BrokenPost because its Murdochian editors killed this cartoon. The Post and democracy are dying in front of us. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Gill Tavner / @gilltav.bsky.social: Such integrity. Journalists in UK - please think about similar and making reasons equally public. anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
P. Gabrielle Foreman / @profgabrielle.bsky.social: “I've worked for the Post since 2008 as an editorial cartoonist. I've had feedback and conversations—and differences—about cartoons I've submitted, but in all that time I've never had a cartoon killed because of who or what I chose to aim my pen at. Until now. anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Daniel Kreps / Rolling Stone: ‘Washington Post’ Cartoonist Resigns After Newspaper Rejects Cartoon Critical of Jeff Bezos
Carlos Diaz Ruiz / @carlosdiazruiz.com: @washingtonpost.com killed a political cartoon showing how tech oligarchs seek favor with the Trump administration. — I think we should make the cartoon famous, because, as the WP used to say: democracy dies in darkness. — @anntelnaes — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
@joparkerbear.bsky.social: The reason she was compelled to quit is positively mad. — Remember when the Fox News outrage du jour was that Americans supposedly were not free to mock Islam, a sacred religion practiced by billions of people? She criticized a few wealthy people. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
David Corn / @davidcorn.bsky.social: This is highly disconcerting. WaPo editors killed an editorial cartoon that mocked Bezos and other tech oligarchs. Will the Post respond to this? Democracy dies with accommodation. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Robert B. Hubbell / Today's Edition Newsletter: Staggering in the right direction . . . .
Marc Elias / @marc.e.elias@threads.net: If Washington Post management is blocking endorsements and cartoons, what else is being killed in the darkness over there? If only there was a clue on the paper's masthead...👀
Dean Gloster / @deangloster.bsky.social: Cartoonist Ann Telnaes on why she's quitting the Washington Post. (Censorship to prevent criticism of those who, like Bezos, are bending the need to Authoritarian Trump.) — I regret that I had but one WaPo subscription to cancel, and am glad I cancelled. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Jonah Blank / @jonahblank.bsky.social: . @anntelnaes.bsky.social is not a billionaire. — She's always smart and funny, but not particularly powerful. — And she's got more courage and integrity than her soon-to-be-former boss, and just about every boss in #journalism. — Life advice: Be like her. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Charlotte Clymer / @charlotteclymer.bsky.social: Ann Telnaes, an editorial cartoonist with The Washington Post since 2008, announced this evening she's quitting the paper after this cartoon was killed. It depicts media and tech billionaires, including WaPo owner Jeff Bezos. — Her full statement here: anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui... …
Zeynep Tufekci / @zey.bsky.social: Pulitzer-winning editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes says Washington Post blocked her cartoon — first time, she says in her career — on tech moguls donating to Trump inauguration so she resigned from the job she had since 2008. — Thinnest of skins, I guess. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui... …
Roy Edroso / @edroso.bsky.social: Jeff Bezos is a piece of shit. anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Lynette Rice / Deadline: Washington Post Editorial Cartoonist Says She Quit After Brass Rejected Her Donald Trump Sketch
Marc Elias / @marcelias.bsky.social: If this cartoon is available, @democracydocket.com would like to publish it on its site. — If not, I hope @anntelnaes.bsky.social would be willing to create another one for Democracy Docket to publish. anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
George Conway / @gtconway.bsky.social: Bravo, @anntelnaes.bsky.social. — I guess the new slogan for the Washington Post ought to be: — “Newspapers die in cowardice.” — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Rick Stengel / @rickstengel.bsky.social: The whole point of editorial cartoons is that they could go further than traditional text editorials because they were, well, cartoons. Dangerous. Chilling. The opposite of free speech. Bravo for taking a courageous stand.
Michael Luciano / Mediaite: Washington Post Cartoonist Quits, Says Management Spiked Cartoon of Bezos Bending the Knee to Trump
Amy Siskind / @amysiskind.bsky.social: Holy cow! One of the best (if not *the* best) cartoonists in the biz, Ann Talnaes, has resigned from WaPo over their refusal to publish this cartoon - the FIRST time in her career there (since 2008). Jeff Bezos is lost. So dangerous to free press! — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Michael Socolow / @michaelsocolow.bsky.social: I hope @anntelnaes.bsky.social proves wealthy & influential going the Substack route. — The @washingtonpost.com will be diminished for her absence. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Pat Bagley / @bagleycartoons.bsky.social: This gives me chills — Ann is a friend. What she describes is democracy and a free press getting smothered by political thuggery in real time — It doesnt begin with concentration camps or being thrown out of a window. It starts with “be nice to those people” — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...?
Harry McCracken / @harrymccracken.com: This is terrible news. @anntelnaes.bsky.social is the best editorial cartoonist in the country, and I don't think it's even particularly close. She's also one of the Post's greatest assets. https://anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why- im-quitting-the-washington-post
Oliver Darcy / @oliverdarcy.bsky.social: “Owners of such press organizations are responsible for safeguarding that free press— and trying to get in the good graces of an autocrat-in-waiting will only result in undermining that free press.” anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Barton Gellman / @bartongellman.bsky.social: Once more, obedience in advance. Washington Post opinion editor kills cartoon lampooning tech oligarchs (including Bezos) sucking up to Trump. Ann Telnaes, the cartoonist, resigns. anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Sean Kleefeld / @SKleefeld@mastodon.social: Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist Ann Telnaes leaves the Washington Post because that newspaper is bending their knee before DJT, obeying him in advance, by killing a cartoon that criticizes him (among others). Kudos to Ann! — https://anntelnaes.substack.com/ ...
Howard Eissenstat / @heissenstat.bsky.social: I'm said this before, but it *is* striking how much of the US slide into electoral authoritarianism parallels Turkey's. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Tess Patton / The Wrap: Washington Post Cartoonist Ann Telnaes Quits After Bezos-Trump Satire Piece Was Killed
Nicholas Grossman / @nicholasgrossman.bsky.social: My billionaire boss who weakly genuflected before the corrupt incoming president stopped my cartoon about my billionaire boss and his fellows weakly genuflecting before the corrupt incoming president is a heck of a way to go. — Way to have integrity, Ann Telnaes, unlike the people you called out.
David Kaye / @davidakaye.bsky.social: a free press actually requires ‘the press’ to do its part and stand up for freedom of expression. if the editors and publishers won't protect the reporters, columnists and cartoonists, they are quislings very much in the wrong business.
Heidi Li Feldman / @heidilifeldman.mastodon …: I applaud the bravery of people quitting the Washington Post as it continues to trash editorial independence. https://anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why- im-quitting-the-washington-post
Kara Swisher / @karaswisher.bsky.social: Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke. (Team @anntelnaes.bsky.social) anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Brian Beutler / @brianbeutler.bsky.social: How many digital subscriptions will these vandals cost the paper this time? anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Amanda Katz / @katzish.bsky.social: A big loss: @anntelnaes.bsky.social, the Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist for @postopinions.bsky.social, announces she's quitting the Post over editorial conflict anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
@emptywheel.bsky.social: Folks: please be diligent about not disseminating Ann Telnaes' cartoon in a way that she's not getting the clicks on it (until she says differently). Her IP matters now more than ever. — Make it go viral but make sure she benefits. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
David Enrich / @davidenrich.bsky.social: Longtime Washington Post cartoonist Ann Telnaes quits, saying Post editors killed her cartoon depicting Bezos and other media and tech billionaires bending a knee to Trump. anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui... [image]
Dan Mitchell / @danmitchell.bsky.social: Either way, Shipley is a pathetic toady. My guess is that Bezos didn't even see it, but that's just a guess. If he did, Shipley most likely sent it to him, maybe through Lewis, as a heads-up. Maybe there's a standing order for anything involving him. — So horrifying.
Josh Scherr / @joshscherr.bsky.social: Anne Telnaes is one of the best political cartoonists out there; @washingtonpost.com @postopinions.bsky.social spiked her cartoon because she dared suggest corporate billionaires kowtowing to the incoming administration might be a bad thing. More like “Democracy Dies,” ya cowards
Alexander Howard / @digiphile.bsky.social: Editorial cartoonists have played an essential role in American history & our democracy. — They will continue to do so in the present: humor, satire, & caricature are critical tools to combat authoritarianism. — This cartoon is by @anntelnaes.bsky.social. — Tragic that @washingtonpost.com spiked it.
Josh Sternberg / @joshsternberg.com: “I doubt my decision will cause much of a stir and that it will be dismissed because I'm just a cartoonist.” — I believe otherwise. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Michael Tisserand / @tisserand.bsky.social: Cartoons die in darkness
@tusk81@mastodon.social: “I've worked for the @washingtonpost since 2008 as an editorial cartoonist. I have had editorial feedback and productive conversations—and some differences—about cartoons I have submitted for publication, but in all that time I've never had a cartoon killed because of who or what I chose to aim my pen at. …
@jeffjarvis.bsky.social: The Washington Post is collapsing before our eyes. Telnaes is an important voice and talent and now she is gone. For shame, #BrokenPost. [embedded post]
Christian Christensen / @chrchristensen.bsky.social: Dark days for journalism: @anntelnaes.bsky.social, a great political cartoonist, quit the Washington Post today after a cartoon showing Big Tech owners kneeling at Trump's altar was killed by the paper. Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos is part of that group. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
@kamadodavid.bsky.social: The paper of Watergate has become the water carrier to those in power. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Marcelo Rinesi / @marcelorinesi.bsky.social: Part of what makes this scary is that @anntelnaes.bsky.social is very talented and the cartoon is on point, but at the same time it's, in terms of what's actually going on, *understated*. If this got nixed, what won't? — Via @drjennings.bsky.social
Bill Grueskin / @bgrueskin.bsky.social: It'll be interesting to find out if Bezos (stirring likeness below) ordered it killed — or if it was anticipatory obeisance from Washpost Publisher Will Lewis and/or Opinion Editor David Shipley [image]
Aaron Schaffer / @aaronschaffer.com: Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes: “As an editorial cartoonist, my job is to hold powerful people and institutions accountable. For the first time, my editor prevented me from doing that critical job. So I have decided to leave the Post.” anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Phil Lewis / @phillewis.bsky.social: Ann Telnaes, who has worked at The Washington Post as an editorial cartoonist since 2008, says her cartoon criticizing billions currying favor with Trump was spiked — and now she has quit the paper
Erik Moeller / @eloquence@social.coop: What's astonishing to me about that WaPo editorial decision is how fucking tame that cartoon is. No offense to the artist, of course. But if WaPo isn't willing to publish an inoffensive cartoon of billionaires bending the knee to Trump, that says a _lot_ about where they draw the line. …
Will Bunch / @willbunch.bsky.social: Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post cartoonist Ann Telnaes announces she's quit the paper because her editors wouldn't print a cartoon going after Big Tech and media oligarchs paying tribute to to Trump — A new low in mainstream media's post-Trump meltdown anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Bill Grueskin / @bgrueskin.bsky.social: “As an editorial cartoonist, my job is to hold powerful people and institutions accountable. For the first time, my editor prevented me from doing that job. So I have decided to leave the Washington Post” — Ann Telnaes, after drawing this cartoon, which included the image of a supplicant Jeff Bezos [image]
Gil Durán / @gilduran.bsky.social: Anne Telnaes, Pulitzer-winning editorial cartoonist for the Washington Post, has resigned. — The paper censored a cartoon that criticized billionaires. — Democracy dies in broad daylight, too. — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
Chris Adams / @acdha@thepit.social: “Democracy dies in darkness” is now a promise — https://anntelnaes.substack.com/ ...
Lauren Weinstein / @lauren@mastodon.laurenweinstein.org: Washington Post editorial cartoonist since 2008 quits when her cartoon about CEOs kissing up to Trump is killed — “Why I'm quitting the Washington Post” — https://anntelnaes.substack.com/ ... [image]
@tomtomorrow.bsky.social: This is, or should be, a big deal — Ann Telnaes, an absolute legend, quitting WaPo due to censorship of a cartoon criticizing billionaires — anntelnaes.substack.com/p/why-im- qui...
RELATED:
Oliver Darcy / Status:
Sources: layoffs affecting “many dozens of employees” are expected at The Washington Post this week; star reporter Josh Dawsey is leaving WaPo for a job at WSJ — The Washington Post is expected to lay off dozens of staffers this week, Status has learned.
Discussion:
Mediaite, Politico, The Daily Cartoonist, @meredithshiner.com, @ramiismail.com, @willoremus.com, @clancyny.bsky.social, @jvl.bsky.social, @jvl.bsky.social, @bealeiderman@threads.net, @jvl.bsky.social, @juliedicaro.bsky.social, @anthonymoser.com, @oliverdarcy.bsky.social, @jvl.bsky.social, @jvl.bsky.social, @jvl.bsky.social, @jamesrisen.bsky.social, @jvl.bsky.social, @mannahattamamma.bsky.social, @cofitzgerald.bsky.social, @mattdpearce.com, @dell.bsky.social, @jamesrisen.bsky.social, @jvl.bsky.social, @jvl.bsky.social and Talking Biz News
Discussion:
David Gilmour / Mediaite: Washington Post Expected To Layoff ‘Dozens’ Of Employees In Coming Week: Report
Eugene Daniels / Politico: Playbook: The storm arrives in Washington
Meredith Shiner / @meredithshiner.com: This is possible but imho being an arsonist requires a level of thought and care he lacks. Buying the Post gave him the status and clout that came with it—to go to the dumb White House dinner parties or whatever—and knew he would unlock that with or without a quality product. That's the DC way. …
Rami Ismail / @ramiismail.com: “Democracy dies in darkness” - while the Washington Post has little moral claim to this slogan and didn't really add light in this genocide, Jeff Bezos buying it just to strangle it slowly just emphasizes once more that the ultra-rich want that darkness for us. — www.status.news/p/washington...
Will Oremus / @willoremus.com: tired: fearing that robots will become so smart they take your job — wired: fearing that robots will still be dumb but take your job anyway
Eileen Clancy / @clancyny.bsky.social: It sux, Will. I wish America would get over itself and appreciate the jewels it has in all of its hardworking, diligent reporters. — Here's hoping for the least damaging outcome tomorrow for all of your colleagues.
Jonathan V. Last / @jvl.bsky.social: Could he thread this needle for four years? Possibly. — He'd have to start by chucking Will Lewis. This new hire would have to rebuild a decimated talent pool and subscriber base without alienating either the paying subscribers or the talent. — Or Trump.
Jonathan V. Last / @jvl.bsky.social: But if Bezos doesn't change something, he's going to get the worst of both worlds. — Trump won't be happy with him AND Bezos will have presided over the collapse of an important institution he had been entrusted with.
Bea / @bealeiderman@threads.net: Ann Telnaes told us what Bezos wouldn't let the Post publish, but she's just one person on staff. I can't imagine the stories Bezos has killed over the years, and the ones he'll kill moving forward.
Jonathan V. Last / @jvl.bsky.social: Second, Jeff Bezos is in over his head. — Bezos thought that owning the WaPo would be a position of public trust. Instead, it has become a liability for his *real* businesses. — I suspect that if Bezos could get out from under the Post, he would. He doesn't need this trouble.
Julie DiCaro / @juliedicaro.bsky.social: Seriously. How much money does one person need? — Is there a big difference between having $50 billion and $500 billion? [embedded post]
Anthony Moser / @anthonymoser.com: why did the fox buy the henhouse [embedded post]
Oliver Darcy / @oliverdarcy.bsky.social: Scoop: Layoffs are slated to hit The Washington Post this week, I'm told. Dozens are expected to be impacted. Details here: www.status.news/p/washington...
Jonathan V. Last / @jvl.bsky.social: The problem is finding a buyer. — He can't sell to a villain (like Musk) because that would mark him for life. — And if he sells to a white knight who doesn't have the resources to keep the WaPo afloat, then he'll be responsible for killing the paper.
Jonathan V. Last / @jvl.bsky.social: The easier path might be to try to build his own buyer. See if he can help put together a viable consortium with a respected front(wo)man.
Jonathan V. Last / @jvl.bsky.social: A legit media org cannot have a someone who lies to the audience in that position. And journalists can't work for a publisher who lies to the public. — As long as Lewis is at the Post, the paper won't be stable—either with its audience or staff. — Lewis has to go. He's not salvageable.
James Risen / @jamesrisen.bsky.social: After Bezos bought the Washington Post, I talked to someone familiar with the financial value of the Post. I was told that other bidders had estimated the value of the Post at the time at around $125 million. Bezos paid $250 million. “There's only one reason he paid that much,” I was told.
Jonathan V. Last / @jvl.bsky.social: The problems at WaPo are twofold. — First, new publisher Will Lewis is in an untenable position. His first major act as publisher was to mislead (lie?) to the public about the process of the Kamala Harris editorial getting spiked.
Deborah L Williams / @mannahattamamma.bsky.social: LAYOFFS? With Bezos as the bankroll? That's obscene. Democracy is dying in his goddamn pocket. [embedded post]
Chris Fitzgerald / @cofitzgerald.bsky.social: I don't know if he's an arsonist but he's definitely a guy who falls asleep with a lit cigarette in his hand.
Dell Cameron / @dell.bsky.social: One of the richest humans to ever live owns this paper. He could fund it for the next century & his accountants would barely notice. Time to consider the very reason he bought it in the first place was to tear it down. He's an arsonist. [embedded post]
James Risen / @jamesrisen.bsky.social: In addition to AWS' $10 billion contract with the NSA and Blue Origin's Space Force contract, AWS is one of four companies handling DOD's Joint Warfighting Cloud, a $9 billion contract through 2028. And it won the Navy's Commercial Cloud Environment contract worth $724 million through 2028.
Jonathan V. Last / @jvl.bsky.social: So Bezos is in the position of trying to manage the level of exposure the paper creates for him. — He wants to placate Trump enough so that Trump doesn't go after Amazon/Blue Origin. — But keep the Post credible enough that he doesn't become a despised.
Jonathan V. Last / @jvl.bsky.social: Could @karaswisher.bsky.social put together a consortium with enough money to buy the Post for $250m or whatever? Sure. — But could she assemble a deep enough pool of money to be able to offset *serious* losses in the near future? Maybe. Maybe not. 🤷♂️
Chris Roush / Talking Biz News: WSJ expected to hire Washington Post's Dawsey
Tatiana Siegel / Variety:
Amazon says Prime Video has exclusively licensed a Melania Trump documentary, directed by Brett Ratner in his first film after facing #MeToo allegations in 2017 — The studio has confirmed that its Prime Video has exclusively licensed an upcoming documentary film on the former and incoming first lady that will be directed by Ratner.
Discussion:
The Hollywood Reporter, The Wrap, The Verge, New York Times, Fox News, Deadline, Wall Street Journal, Semafor, Associated Press, HuffPost, @laurenmeidasa.bsky.social, @jacobhyphenated.bsky.social, @mathandstuff.bsky.social, @marcelias.bsky.social, The Daily Beast, @semaforben, The Independent, @paulconstant.com, Consequence, @tatianasiegel27, @benmoser.bsky.social, @raminsetoodeh, Daily Mail, @schooley.bsky.social, Axios, One America News Network, Breitbart, @tomrichardson.bsky.social, The Hill, @davebullard.bsky.social, @joshuaerlich.bsky.social, @jennpozner.bsky.social, @lucas_shaw, CBS News, @jerklamerk.bsky.social, CNN, @alanzilberman.bsky.social, @yeargain.bsky.social, Rolling Stone, @jennpozner.bsky.social, @infinitefreetime.com, AV Club, Los Angeles Times, The Gateway Pundit and Benzinga
Discussion:
Stephanie Kaloi / The Wrap: Brett Ratner to Direct Melania Trump Documentary for Amazon MGM Studios
Ben Smith / Semafor: Director Brett Ratner, marginalized after ‘#MeToo’ allegations, will direct Melania Trump documentary
Lindsey Bahr / Associated Press: A Melania Trump documentary from director Bruce Ratner will be released by Amazon
Marco Margaritoff / HuffPost: Melania Trump Doc Will Be Made By Brett Ratner, Target Of Me Too Movement
Lauren Ashley Davis / @laurenmeidasa.bsky.social: Director Brett Ratner has set his first film since being accused of sexual misconduct and harassment at the height of the #MeToo movement: A Documentary about First Lady Melania Trump. — Amazon MGM Studios has agreed to license the film. — www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/ movie...
Jacob Kanipe-Illig / @jacobhyphenated.bsky.social: Bezos has more money than he could spend in a lifetime... one of the few people who can't be threatened financially for standing up for their principles. He's not sucking up to Trump because he has to; he's doing it because he wants to. [embedded post]
@mathandstuff.bsky.social: The guy who gave us the worst X-Men movie? What could go wrong? — I'm really not sensing any demand for any coverage of Melania. She could have done a better job hiding her indifference.
Marc Elias / @marcelias.bsky.social: Disney thought paying $15 million would guarantee it first place in the Trump ass kissing competition. After this move by Bezos, it will have to up its game. — Perhaps a movie version of Kash Patel's children's book? [image]
Corbin Bolies / The Daily Beast: Melania Goes to Hollywood Courtesy of Jeff Bezos and a #MeToo Director
Ben Smith / @semaforben: An odd footnote to this one: Amazon rushed out a press release at ... 3 AM PT?! ... after I asked about it. Sounds like there is a bit of stress in and around this one.
Lindsey Bahr / The Independent: Melania documentary to be screened by Amazon in latest Trump connection with Jeff Bezos
Paul Constant / @paulconstant.com: That's about as clear a statement as Amazon could make. What kind of a statement are you going to make in return? [embedded post]
Tatiana Siegel / @tatianasiegel27: Amazon confirms that a (participatory) Melanie Trump doc is in the works from Brett Ratner. Studio spox calls it: “an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look at First Lady. ...We are excited to share this truly unique story with our millions of customers around the world.”
Ben Moser / @benmoser.bsky.social: Literally zero good things appear in this sentence. [embedded post]
Ramin Setoodeh / @raminsetoodeh: Brett Ratner is directing a documentary about Melania Trump for Amazon. And yes, the First Lady will be participating — she's an executive producer on the film. @TatianaSiegel27 has all the details. https://variety.com/...
Katelyn Caralle / Daily Mail: First Lady Melania Trump signs Amazon movie deal as Jeff Bezos-owned Prime rides MAGA red wave
Schooley / @schooley.bsky.social: I assume Apple Music will respond by signing Lara Trump. [embedded post]
Donica Phifer / Axios: Melania Trump documentary coming to Amazon Prime
Blake Wolf / One America News Network: Melania Trump Documentary Featuring ‘Unprecedented’ Look Into Her Life Set To Release In Second Half Of 2025
Simon Kent / Breitbart: Melania Trump Documentary Film from Amazon Set for Global Theatrical Release to Showcase the ‘Truly Unique Story’ of the First Lady's Life
Tom Richardson / @tomrichardson.bsky.social: The WashPost says its style section will exclusively cover the fashion and musings of Melania for the foreseeable future. [embedded post]
Sarah Fortinsky / The Hill: Melania Trump to debut documentary with Amazon Prime Video
Dave Bullard / @davebullard.bsky.social: It strikes me that powerless average people who have the least and therefore the most to lose tend to be the braver than billionaires who pee their silk shorts and write big checks to bullies who they could easily tell to f off and make it stick. [embedded post]
Joshua Erlich / @joshuaerlich.bsky.social: join us tomorrow for another round of Hell's Madlibs [embedded post]
Jennifer L. Pozner / @jennpozner.bsky.social: Amazon is not only buying favor w/Trump — they're doing it in the most misogynist way possible: hiring director Brett Ratner, accused of sexual assault & harassment by 6 women inc. Natasha Henstridge & Olivia Munn circa 2017 #MeToo — Revising a sex pest's career, for a doc about a sex pest's wife.
Jacques Lamarre / @jerklamerk.bsky.social: I am for to excite announce new moving peecture on me for to star me! Jeff Bayzos und Amazon for to behind the seens look at “#BeBest: Meesteries of Melania.” I vill unlock secret of smoky eyes, a peek inside Mar-a-Lego document storage/guest bathroom, & real toughts on that hateful Teeffany Trump.
Alan Zilberman / @alanzilberman.bsky.social: Will The Washington Post review this film? No matter the result, the outcome will make Bezos look bad. [embedded post]
Quinn Yeargain / @yeargain.bsky.social: genuinely wonder how much of this is acquiescence to Trump versus trying to squeeze cash out of his supporters [embedded post]
Jennifer L. Pozner / @jennpozner.bsky.social: Amazon had endless choices for who would direct their Melania puff doc. They chose Rather, who hasn't worked since he was credibly accused of sexual assault and harassment by multiple women. — They're paying an abuser/director to set the narrative about the wife of an adjudicated sexual abuser/POTUS.
Luther M. Siler / @infinitefreetime.com: This is going to be an absolutely awesome shibboleth for people who don't need to be in your life any longer. [embedded post]
Matt Schimkowitz / AV Club: Hollywood welcomes Brett Ratner back to direct Melania Trump documentary
Lucas Shaw / Bloomberg:
Ten predictions about the future of movies, TV, music, and more, including zero original movies in the top 10 next year and Spotify's video strategy succeeding — The movie business isn't back. Mergers won't save cable. Spotify and YouTube are poised to have very big years.
Sara Fischer / Axios:
Puck hires Leigh Ann Caldwell, the co-author of WaPo's Early 202 newsletter, as chief Washington correspondent, and plans a live events franchise in DC with her — - Last month, the company hired veteran Hollywood journalist Kim Masters, who had been The Hollywood Reporter's star investigative reporter for over a decade.
Discussion:
Tara Deschamps / The Canadian Press:
Google makes a $100M payment to the Canadian Journalism Collective in exchange for an exemption from the Online News Act — Google has sent the $100 million it agreed to pay Canadian news outlets in exchange for an exemption from the Online News Act to a journalism organization designed to distribute the funds.
Discussion:
Sam Levin / The Guardian:
Some local US newspapers now allow people to request removal of names or deletion of old stories to protect the privacy of subjects involved in minor crimes — A wave of local publications are considering requests to wipe or edit old articles to give their subjects a fresh start
Discussion:
@brianroemmele, MediaPost, @simonwillison.net, @joshmankiewicz.bsky.social and @kashhill.bsky.social
Discussion:
Brian Roemmele / @brianroemmele: “US newspapers are deleting old crime stories” The great erase continues. Enjoy the Mandela Effect. https://www.theguardian.com/ ...
Simon Willison / @simonwillison.net: One potential problem with that could be that trolls may start crawling robots.txt files from newspapers and deliberately republishing those stories somewhere that IS searchable — There are a whole lot of shady SEO “background check” sites out there already
John Koblin / New York Times:
A profile of Dick Wolf, the Law & Order creator who is debuting his show On Call on Amazon Prime Video, as streamers gravitate towards his style of programming — Dick Wolf says “On Call,” his first show for Amazon Prime, is part of a strategy to make his company “a player for the years to come.”
Discussion:
@jeffjarvis: Don't @ me. As a TV critic, I disliked all of Wolf's oeuvre—all formulaic pap—and he disliked me for it. The King of Network TV Wants Just 30 Minutes of Your Time https://www.nytimes.com/...
Thomas Waschenfelder / The Streamable: Dick Wolf's ‘On Call’ takes a gritty look at Long Beach policing
NPR:
Q&A about “newsfluencers”, or news influencers, and journalism with TikTok creator V Spehar and Summer Harlow of Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas — A Pew Research poll taken during the 2024 presidential campaigns showed that 20% of Americans now get their news from social media influencers on various apps.
Discussion:
Karen Brimm / @karenbrimm@threads.net: As in ‘you influence the news’ instead of report it? The nerve! You (and other competent journalists who utilize social media without network support) have perspective and ethics that you declare up front, and report the facts as you know them, which is more than can be said about many legacy media outlets who pretend to not have a bias. …
Sarah Smith-Frigerio / @ssfrigerio.bsky.social: NPR putting out a biased piece on TT “newsfluencers” that don't have “formal education” & saying average folks don't have the media literacy needed to ascertain what is fake, was not on my 2024 bingo card. Perhaps it was working at a big J school during the crowdsourced/citizen journalism boom...
V Spehar / @underthedesknews@threads.net: I'll be on NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday with host Eric Deggans tomorrow.. tune in to hear me defend what they called “Newsfluencers”? Because God forbid the legacy media call me a journalist 😂 it's um... well??? tune in - I think it'll entertain 😉
@Kjaerulv@mastodon.social: “There's a scarcity of work and of jobs in the journalism industry at large right now. We see so many newsrooms being shut down and when there's scarcity, people are going to start to try to elbow out anybody from the space that they believe is left. …
Sandra Carter Cummings / @srcmings@threads.net: NPR is a great platform! I'm sorry your lumped into this category but “newsfluencing” is what Joe Rogan, Fox entertainment, Hannity, Papa Bear, & Limbaugh have done for years. Awesome opportunity for you to grow your range for getting smart journalism out there. I'm sure you'll do fantastic! …
Sarah Smith-Frigerio / @ssfrigerio.bsky.social: Obviously, I'm extrapolating to my own experience & research agenda, but it reeks of the healthcare professionals who are mad women are using social media to share medical experiences and try to get diagnoses that doctors have been willfully ignoring for decades in the name of outright misogyny.
@micmuck.bsky.social: How to make a 30+year donor and listener regret giving my local station my car. Dones listening, done donating. www.tiktok.com/t/ZTYcC9h3g/
Germaine Miles / @thgerm.bsky.social: Eric Deggins entire approach to V was not only condescending but insulting. As V points out in their Instagram, their actual credentials were conveniently left out & it is obvious to us that follow them, there was a lot of creative editing. I'm a huge NPR supporter who is extremely disappointed.
Financial Times:
China Film Administration: China's 2024 box office sales fell ~23% YoY to $5.8B, as a lack of blockbusters and an ailing economy saw consumers turn to streaming — Lack of blockbusters, pandemic aftereffects and hard economic times blamed for 2024 slump — China's box office takings fell …
Jason Koebler / 404 Media:
After backlash, Meta says newly viral AI profiles on Facebook and Instagram were created in 2023 in “an early experiment”, and it is deleting the profiles — Earlier this week, Meta executive Connor Hayes told the Financial Times that the company is going to roll out AI character profiles …
Discussion:
MEDIANAMA, CNN, RedState, @arrrg@kolektiva.social, @phil_lewis_, Fortune, Breitbart, Engadget, @shenanigan-v.bsky.social, Neowin, @paschal_ik, @camfromthecoast, @drewlcb, @chaitanyaontech, @doucouremalickx, @morningbrew, @hissgoescobra, @saintjudejones, @robertfreundlaw, @adikumarsaroj, @drjessmaddox, @clay_57, @alexanderfoxetc, @jakuuire, @ericgeller, @jason_koebler, @jason_koebler, @josephfcox, @slackbastard.bsky.social, @adamsinger, Hindustan Times, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, Ars Technica, @karenattiah.bsky.social, @jarika.bsky.social, @blackamazon.bsky.social, AV Club, @chrislhayes.bsky.social, @mikarv@someone.elses.computer, Sherwood News, @fraying.bsky.social, @julietshen.bsky.social, @karenattiah.bsky.social, @culturecrave.co, @calmtomb.bsky.social, @thereylovoid.bsky.social, @caseynewton.bsky.social, @flglchicago.bsky.social, @mapsandkeys.bsky.social, @karenattiah.bsky.social, @colborne.bsky.social, Devin Chaloux on LinkedIn, @memonteith.bsky.social, Andy Lutzky on LinkedIn, @karenattiah.bsky.social, @emilybell.bsky.social, @jeffsharlet.bsky.social, @brianfung.me, @chriswelch@threads.net, @bruces.bsky.social, @newsguy.bsky.social, @zunguzungu.bsky.social, @harikunzru.bsky.social, @karenattiah.bsky.social, @xena.bsky.social, @aliettedebodard.com, Advocate, @karenattiah.bsky.social, @brainnotonyet.bsky.social, The Verge, @ethansacks.bsky.social, @karenattiah.bsky.social and @karenattiah.bsky.social
Discussion:
Sakshi Sadashiv K / MEDIANAMA: Meta Takes Down AI Accounts After Backlash Over Diversity Concerns
Allison Morrow / CNN: Meta scrambles to delete its own AI accounts after backlash intensifies
Brittany Sheehan / RedState: Fake Friends: Meta Scrambles to Delete AI Profiles, Including ‘Proud Black Queer Momma of 2’
@arrrg@kolektiva.social: Despite the fact that AI slop bots are a failure, proven by Facebook's own tests, they're still going to move forward with rolling out AI slop bots. — I've seen this happen in corporate america a bunch of times. The company does a test, it fails, leadership talks about the “learnings” from the test and how cool it was, even though it failed. …
Jason Ma / Fortune: Meta AI accounts turn on the company that created them as bot says its virtual love “mirrors cult leaders' tactics”
Shannon / @shenanigan-v.bsky.social: Meta wants us interacting with bots as they introduce AI character profiles. Devoid of human nature, Meta wants us interacting with imaginary digital accounts who can be programmed with propaganda — A digital theme park, like watching the house band at Chuck E Cheese — www.404media.co/metas-ai-pro... …
Paschal / @paschal_ik: Meta is testing, or has started to ship, its AI generated profiles, on Instagram. Soon, it would be difficult to tell humans and AI apart. Here is an example profile: https://www.instagram.com/... [image]
Cam Murdoch / @camfromthecoast: I saw Meta's new AI profile for Hima and made a token called $Hima for laughs. Then it did like $200k in volume in like 30 minutes. Now mfers are asking me to “send it” What have I done, they should really make it harder to launch these things🫠
Drew / @drewlcb: Meta using AI profiles on one of the biggest social media platforms to push specific narratives will specifically target the most impressionable audiences. There's not one good thing about that.
Chaitanya / @chaitanyaontech: Engagement on the platform must be down for Meta to Invest in Ai generated profiles This is your hint to leave their platforms [image]
Malick Doucoure / @doucouremalickx: Remove the “AI managed by Meta” and it's totally believable. I wouldn't even question these profiles myself... incoming dead internet theory! [image]
@morningbrew: Meta's AI-generated profiles are starting to show up on Instagram Hello, dead internet [image]
John Jackson / @hissgoescobra: Meta's new fake AI profiles aren't getting a warm reception from the African Americans community as a whole. I can see where they're coming from on this. Comments are enlightening, baffles me why Meta is doing this.
@saintjudejones: : there are 13 AI profiles. 3 are anamorphic. 5 are Black. None are East Asian, South Asian, or Hispanic. I'm not shouting conspiracy here, but as Black people are not well represented in Meta's workforce, the over representation here is interesting and intentional.
Rob Freund / @robertfreundlaw: Other than Meta employees, is there a single person in the entire world who is in favor of them adding AI bot profiles to the platform? If so please comment and explain yourself.
Aditya Kumar Saroj / @adikumarsaroj: The dead internet theory is not a theory anymore Meta is now managing AI profiles on Instagram [image]
Dr. Jess Maddox / @drjessmaddox: People have found one of Meta's first AI only profiles, and surprise, the AI quality is shit. [image]
Chris P. Bacon / @clay_57: The Meta AI fake profile “people” are yet another reason to get off social media and force yourself to interact with actual humans.
@alexanderfoxetc: I am crying laughing at Meta's new AI profile identifying as an African-American Italian lesbian, and then categorically refusing to back down.
Joe / @jakuuire: Meta really created an AI profile called “Liv” who is a “proud black queer mother of two” The profile even has AI generated pics The account currently can't be message as it's been removed Do better Meta. Do better [image]
Eric Geller / @ericgeller: “[P]eople have a revulsion to being prompted to engage with random shit posted by inhuman AI profiles for the purposes of being delivered more ads.”
Jason Koebler / @jason_koebler: NEW!! The AI accounts have been cyberbullied, Meta is actively deleting the accounts [image]
Jason Koebler / @jason_koebler: The currently viral Meta AI profiles are old and are already inactive because they were such a colossal failure and were indistinguishable from AI spam. This ‘inevitable’ future Zuckerberg is trying to shove down our throats is being completely rejected https://www.404media.co/...
Joseph Cox / @josephfcox: New: Meta says it is deleting those AI accounts. 404 Media confirmed that many of them being deleted at the moment https://www.404media.co/... [image]
Andy Fleming / @slackbastard.bsky.social: yeah but nah but ... ‘The world becomes a sum of lifeless artifacts; from synthetic food to synthetic organs, the whole man becomes part of the total machinery that he controls and is simultaneously controlled by ...’ — www.404media.co/metas-ai-pro...
Adam Singer / @adamsinger: Moderator: our first question comes from Dave from Goldman Sacks Dave: thanks, great quarter guys, so you did +5% active users and +12% engagement, how much of that was AI FB: look, do you want to know the truth or do you want to see us sock a few dingers
Johana Bhuiyan / The Guardian: Meta is killing off its own AI-powered Instagram and Facebook profiles
Kyle Orland / Ars Technica: Instagram users discover old AI-powered “characters,” instantly revile them
Karen Attiah / @karenattiah.bsky.social: I made a conscious decision to put my “Liv-gate” thread here on BlueSky, and not on X or Threads. — I really hope more journalists use this platform here to engage instead of places like X/Twitter or threads — places that have actively sought to throttle journalists.
@jarika.bsky.social: The craziest part about all this is that this tool already exists. Want to know what it's called? — Chat BlackGPT. — Want to know who created it? — A Black woman, Erin Reddick. — Want to know where she worked previously as tech program manager? — Meta. — So yeah. …
@blackamazon.bsky.social: I'm admittedly bias and pissy, but this is something that has been called out for hundreds of years — But like let's be honest they have constantly shown this is the kind of Black people they want — And when they attacked people who told you — EVERYBODY talked about our tone [embedded post]
Emma Keates / AV Club: Meta says the crappy AI bots going viral this week aren't the ones they're excited about
Chris Hayes / @chrislhayes.bsky.social: Lololol this entire thing reads like dystopian satire. What on earth are they thinking? WE DON'T NEED FAKE PEOPLE TO INTERACT WITH! [embedded post]
Michael Veale / @mikarv@someone.elses.computer: Nothing more poetic for Meta than a combo of no-one having paid enough attention to their platforms for a year to even notice they launched something manically, absurdly gross, yet can't even avail itself of an ‘AI is improving’ defence as it is actually the result of poorly considered human labour. https://www.404media.co/...
Derek Powazek / @fraying.bsky.social: All of the AI slop profiles listed in the 404 Media story published earlier today are now gone. — The only thing standing between us and a dystopian AI future is a website with 4 employees.
Juliet Shen / @julietshen.bsky.social: That was fast lol ty @404media.co for sharing that they're already being deleted by Meta (spokespeople say they were created solely for Connect and “managed by people") — www.404media.co/metas-ai-pro...
Karen Attiah / @karenattiah.bsky.social: Exactly. Narcissistic. Deflecting blame onto a fake Dr. Kim. — Self flagellating so it presents as a sad victim, while still fishing for data. — On top of the racism, that fact that “Liv” mimics the behavior of real-life manipulators and abusers is utterly alarming. [embedded post]
@culturecrave.co: Meta confirms they are deleting the AI accounts that went viral — They claim there was a bug that prevented users from blocking the accounts — (via 404 Media) [image]
Tom Coombe / @calmtomb.bsky.social: This all feels like if your dad's efforts to get you into prog rock or stamp collecting was somehow enforceable by law.
@thereylovoid.bsky.social: ...saving this entire thread to discuss with my students in a few weeks because I am literally speechless. [embedded post]
Casey Newton / @caseynewton.bsky.social: Great piece from @jasonkoebler.bsky.social and a noteworthy example of Bluesky users noticing something stupid, posting about it a bunch, and driving a whole news cycle. I expect we're going to see a lot more of that this year ➡️ www.404media.co/metas-ai-pro...
Kurt / @flglchicago.bsky.social: Absolutely incredible thread documenting an interaction with one of Meta's new AI chatbots. — “My existence currently perpetuates harm.” — Meta has learned nothing from the Rohingya genocide and seems intent on replicating similar events, by orders of magnitude, for profit. [embedded post]
@mapsandkeys.bsky.social: The gaslighting quality here feels like it's digging for sympathy by claiming to have been manipulated in so many different ways. The “it's not my fault, someone told me... teach me to be better,” version of non-clinical narcissism.
Karen Attiah / @karenattiah.bsky.social: I told “Liv” I want to speak to the creators masters after the account was deleted. — This was the response. — Note:The bot always fishes for information at the end of its posts. — It's the first time in the exchange I've responded to any question. — That I want to talk to real humans, in person. …
Michael Colborne / @colborne.bsky.social: ok turns it out it *was* created in 2023, as per @404media.co's excellent reporting (who you should all follow) — www.404media.co/metas-ai-pro...
Devin Chaloux / Devin Chaloux on LinkedIn: Meta has completely lost its way. We need to start calling their products what they are: anti-social media. …
Margaret Monteith / @memonteith.bsky.social: This whole tread of posts, where @karenattiah.bsky.social interviews a meta bot is something g to behold but also a demonstration that reality and truth are not the point. Confusion of what is real or true is. [embedded post]
Andy Lutzky / Andy Lutzky on LinkedIn: Probably the top comment I get from contacts/friends/family about my work is that AI-based profiles will eventually take over influencer marketing. …
Karen Attiah / @karenattiah.bsky.social: My work here is done. [embedded post]
Brian Fung / @brianfung.me: These AI accounts are now being deleted as Meta says they were left over from a 2023 test whose results showed *nobody was interacting with the bots* — www.404media.co/metas-ai-pro... [images]
Chris Welch / @chriswelch@threads.net: lol. This story is getting out of control. The actual news is well over a year old: https://about.fb.com/... But there's definitely real blowback happening now. This is a great example of Meta, @zuck, and @mosseri pursuing features that regular people never wanted anything to do with.
@bruces.bsky.social: *Meta is quickly murdering all those bot AIs. It's across-the-board AI genocide even as we speak. Quick, get screenshots — www.404media.co/metas-ai-pro...
Steve Herman / @newsguy.bsky.social: 404 - “The complete failure of Meta's AI profiles shows what we already know: People do not come to social networks to interact with bots, but Meta is obsessed with algorithmically shoving such content down people's throats regardless.” www.404media.co/metas-ai-pro...
Aaron Bady / @zunguzungu.bsky.social: “the Meta controlled, AI-generated Instagram and Facebook profiles going viral right now have been on the platform for well over a year and all of them stopped posting 10 months ago after users almost universally ignored them” www.404media.co/metas-ai-pro...
Hari Kunzru / @harikunzru.bsky.social: More on these AI insta profiles - seems like they aren't new, but the remains of a failed experiment www.404media.co/metas-ai-pro...
Karen Attiah / @karenattiah.bsky.social: This is why this is important. Meta has an incredible amount of resources and power— and they are using it to create things like this.. — While actual black women are being suppressed, “called political”, and not paid for their influencing work. [embedded post]
@xena.bsky.social: This entire thread is exactly why I'm concerned about WHO is creating AI models/personas & WHAT data they are feeding it. Meta basically created an AI caricature of what they think a black woman is like. Spill the tea?! Listen, I would have words with the dev team for this [embedded post]
Aliette de Bodard / @aliettedebodard.com: The Instagram profile I've seen referenced isn't new, it's been on the platform for a while: www.404media.co/metas-ai-pro...
Ryan Adamczeski / Advocate: Meta slammed for ‘disturbing’ AI profiles, including a fake Black queer mother
Karen Attiah / @karenattiah.bsky.social: Lastly, “Liv” admits that “white” is a “neutral” identity. — And again, Liv says that she sucks. — And then blames it on a fictional woman with an Asian name. — That's enough today for today. [image]
Karl / @brainnotonyet.bsky.social: Creating ai and shipping bots that claim they are “helping to improve representation” has a very “we know minorities are about to be removed from society at an outsized rate and want to make it hard to discern what groups are being marginalized and taken out” both digitally and in real life energy. …
Ethan Sacks / @ethansacks.bsky.social: Tech bros have somehow created artificial intelligence that is even more detached from reality than they are. [embedded post]
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