Top News:
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”
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The Moscow Times, Bloomberg, CBS News, Adweek, The NewsGuild, TVNewsCheck and WCNC-TV
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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
Discussion:
IndieWire, Nieman Lab, CNN, Broadband TV News, Washington Examiner, Reason, The National Interest, @brianstelter, RedState, @w7voa, @arleenb.bsky.social, Blaze Media, @brianstelter, ARTnews, The Independent, Regina Phelps on LinkedIn, New York Post, Sam Kessler on LinkedIn, Timothy McDonald on LinkedIn, Poynter, BBC, Reuters, @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 and The Japan Times
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
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
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ABC, CNN, Janice Fischer on LinkedIn, @sleavenworth.bsky.social, @chronotope.aramzs.xyz, The Hill, lowyinstitute.org, Washington Post, New York Post, Agence France-Presse, DNyuz, PR Daily, NBC4 Washington, @paulthedogman.bsky.social, @gr8fash89.bsky.social, @acabcalloway.bsky.social, @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
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1A, Columbia Journalism Review, Advanced Television, The Newsguy, The Western Journal, Reporters Without Borders, Steady, @KimPerales@toad.social, Media Nation, Inside Radio, NPR, @sarahellison, @davidfolkenflik, @farhip, @Free_Press@mstdn.social, @carlababbvoa, WNYW-TV, ZeroHedge News, RedState, @brianstelter, Mediaite, @davidfolkenflik, The Indian Express, @bradleyrsimpson.bsky.social, @joshtpm.bsky.social, Business Insider, The Kyiv Independent, @oanalungescu.bsky.social, @anneapplebaum.bsky.social, USA Today, The Post Millennial, @whodat35.bsky.social, UPI and CBS News
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.
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Associated Press, The Daily Wire, Comic Book, IndieWire, Los Angeles Times, Daily Mail, TV Insider, Media Play News, People, Reuters, @danprimack, Billboard, GoldDerby, Entertainment Weekly, LateNighter, UPI, Adweek, Vanity Fair, FemaleFirst, The Hollywood Reporter, Rolling Stone, TVLine, ABC7, NPR, New York Daily News, Just Jared and New York Post
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Clayton Davis / Variety:
The Oscars and Golden Globes announcing their hosts and dates early helps awards season by letting studios plan their releases and may boost audience engagement — The Oscars announced their new date this morning, along with the news that that show is bringing back Conan O'Brien as host …
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.
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YouTube, HuffPost, The Hill, @brianstelter, New Republic, Mediaite, The Wrap, Daily Kos, Semafor and Fox News
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 …
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TMZ.com, Music Business Worldwide, thesource.com, @brotigupta, @phillewis.bsky.social, The Root, Reuters, DNyuz, People, Vibe, Digital Music News, @vexwerewolf.bsky.social, UPROXX, The Wrap, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Consequence, Rolling Stone, Oh No They Didn't!, Fox News, Bossip, Lawyer Monthly and Le Monde
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 …
Discussion:
Inside Radio, Radio Ink, Philadelphia Business Journal, The Desk, RADIO ONLINE, Billboard and Radio & Television …
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 and Los Angeles Times
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.
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.
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:
The Daily Sceptic, The Guardian, Telegraph and Byline Times
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 …
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Advanced Television
