Top News:
Washington Post:
The USAGM has severed contracts for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, in addition to the VOA cuts — Lake had big plans to transform the outlet into a powerful “weapon” to fight an “information war.” Instead, the president has essentially shut it down.
Discussion:
Nieman Lab, IndieWire, CNN, Washington Examiner, Broadband TV News, BBC, Reason, Sam Kessler on LinkedIn, The National Interest, @brianstelter, RedState, Reuters, @w7voa, Timothy McDonald on LinkedIn, @arleenb.bsky.social, Poynter, Blaze Media, @brianstelter, ARTnews, The Independent, Regina Phelps on LinkedIn, New York Post, @brianstelter, @brianstelter, @brianstelter, @brianstelter, @ZekuZelalem@dair …, @mimarek@universeodon.com, @ewong, @repdonbacon, @chrisgreenwayuk, @thomasvlinge, @malinowski, @pressfreedom, @atrupar, @malinowski, @stevecapus, @chriso_wiki, @rferlpress, New York Daily News, Radio Free Europe/Radio …, Vanity Fair, Reason, Axios, Al Jazeera, The Gateway Pundit, Washington …, Associated Press, Politico, Reuters, Raw Story, Hong Kong Free Press HKFP, New York Times and The Japan Times
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The Wrap:
VOA director Michael Abramowitz condemns its shutdown, says Trump is “failing to protect US interests”; others say shutting VOA is a “national security issue” — The news organization's director Michael Abramowitz says the president is “failing to protect U.S. interests”
Discussion:
The Moscow Times, CBS News, The NewsGuild, Adweek, TVNewsCheck, WCNC-TV, The National Pulse and Committee to Protect …
David Enrich / New York Times:
After Trump dismantled the USAGM, VOA employees say some of its radio frequencies in Asia, the Middle East, and elsewhere went dark or began airing only music
Discussion:
New York Post, CNN, Janice Fischer on LinkedIn, @sleavenworth.bsky.social, @chronotope.aramzs.xyz, @paulthedogman.bsky.social, The Hill, @gr8fash89.bsky.social, Washington Post, @acabcalloway.bsky.social, Agence France-Presse, DNyuz, PR Daily, @kyra_davis@mstdn.social, @charvaka@hivemind.plus, Fox News, The White House, Politico and Lawyer Monthly
Filip Timotija / The Hill:
A source says “most” Voice of America journalists were put on administrative leave, a day after President Trump signed an EO aimed at eliminating the USAGM
A source says “most” Voice of America journalists were put on administrative leave, a day after President Trump signed an EO aimed at eliminating the USAGM
Discussion:
1A, Columbia Journalism Review, Advanced Television, The Newsguy, Steady, NPR, Reporters Without Borders, @KimPerales@toad.social, Inside Radio, Media Nation, @sarahellison, @davidfolkenflik, @farhip, @Free_Press@mstdn.social, The Desk, @carlababbvoa, WNYW-TV, ZeroHedge News, RedState, Mediaite, @brianstelter, @davidfolkenflik, The Indian Express, @bradleyrsimpson.bsky.social, @joshtpm.bsky.social, Business Insider, The Kyiv Independent, The Guardian, @oanalungescu.bsky.social, USA Today, @anneapplebaum.bsky.social, The Post Millennial, @whodat35.bsky.social, UPI, CBS News, The Wrap, Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, Variety, TVNewsCheck and Deadline
Kurt Schlosser / GeekWire:
Trump praises Jeff Bezos for changes at WaPo, says he doesn't think media's treatment of him has changed so far, but he sees a shift among tech giants — The recent changes Jeff Bezos has instituted at The Washington Post have captured the attention of President Donald Trump, who praised the newspaper owner's efforts.
Steven J. Horowitz / Variety:
UMG files a motion to dismiss Drake's lawsuit, says he's suing because he “lost a rap battle” with Kendrick Lamar and took legal action to “salve his wounds” — The motion, filed earlier today and reviewed by Variety, took a cutting approach to making the case for dismissal …
Discussion:
The Wrap, People, UPROXX, thesource.com, Digital Music News, The Hollywood Reporter, TMZ.com, Music Business Worldwide, @brotigupta, @phillewis.bsky.social, The Root, Reuters, DNyuz, Vibe, @vexwerewolf.bsky.social, Billboard, Consequence, Rolling Stone, Oh No They Didn't!, Fox News, Bossip, Lawyer Monthly, Le Monde and Forbes
Ben Smith / Semafor:
How Breitbart became “legacy” MAGA media, as Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow says the outlet is “trying to be the historical record of the Trump administration” — A sense of responsibility weighs heavily these days on Breitbart News. Washington Bureau Chief Matt Boyle …
Discussion:
@pinemikey.bsky.social
Alex Ritman / Variety:
Village Roadshow files for bankruptcy protection in the US, amid a long-drawn-out and expensive legal battle with WB over The Matrix Resurrections — Village Roadshow Entertainment Group, the film producer and financier that has backed “The Matrix,” “Ocean's Eleven,” “Joker” and “The Lego Movie” …
Discussion:
The Wrap, Deadline, @eriqgardner, Los Angeles Times and Screen Rant
Nicole Sperling / New York Times:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says Conan O'Brien will reprise his Oscar hosting duties in 2026, one of the earliest renewals for an Oscar host — Mr. O'Brien received high marks for his work as the emcee of the 97th Oscar telecast this month. It was his first time hosting the show.
Discussion:
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Scharon Harding / Ars Technica:
Some owners of devices running Roku OS report seeing autoplaying video ads before they can access the home screen; Roku says it is just a test — Now, Roku is testing what it might look like if it took things a step further and forced people to watch a video ad play before getting to the Roku OS home screen.
Discussion:
@leahlibresco, Android Police, BGR, The Verge and Cord Cutters News, more at Techmeme »
Caitlin Huston / The Hollywood Reporter:
Audacy names Kelli Turner, who has been interim CEO since the end of January, as president and CEO, and overhauls its leadership team — Chris Oliviero has been named chief business officer and Bob Philips has been named chief revenue officer. … Additionally, Chris Oliviero …
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Philadelphia Business Journal, Inside Radio, Radio Ink, The Desk, RADIO ONLINE, Billboard and Radio & Television …
New York Times:
Sources: The New Yorker has cut ties with its art critic, Jackson Arn, who joined in 2023, after complaints about his behavior at its centennial celebration — The magazine received concerns about the writer's conduct at its centennial celebration at a star-studded party in Manhattan.
Naman Ramachandran / Variety:
OUTtv, which bills itself as the world's leading LGBTQ+ TV and streaming service, launches in Taiwan, a significant expansion of LGBTQ+ content in Asia — In a significant expansion of LGBTQ+ content in Asia, OUTtv is set to debut its first-ever channel in the region through a partnership …
Discussion:
Advanced Television
Bron Maher / Press Gazette:
After UK High Court rulings on politicians hosting programs, Ofcom rescinds three GB News rulings and drops related probes into GB News, TalkTV, and LBC — Ofcom has now withdrawn a total of five rulings it had originally upheld against GB News. — Ofcom has rescinded three rulings …
Discussion:
Byline Times, The Guardian and Telegraph
