Top News:
Nectar Gan / CNN:
Chinese nationalists and state media praise Trump's decision to dismantle VOA, RFA, and other US-funded media outlets that broadcast to authoritarian regimes — Hong Kong CNN — One nationalist influencer called it “truly gratifying.” Another said he was laughing his head off.
Discussion:
Washington-Baltimore …, Foreign Policy, Wall Street Journal, Radio Free Asia, TVNewsCheck, @wbng.org, South China Morning Post, Agence France-Presse, Global Times, Poynter, BBC, @passantino.bsky.social, New York Times, @wang_maya, @hadas_gold, @taiwanfcc, @brianstelter, The Diplomat, ABC, NBC News, Washington Examiner, Taiwan Foreign …, Washington Post, @radiofreeasia, Bloomberg, @ewong, Phelim Kine on LinkedIn, Global Times, @boerdeng, The Guardian, @pearsonelaine, HuffPost, RedState and Committee to Protect …
RELATED:
CNN:
Source: leaders of several US-funded international networks have told their teams to keep broadcasting, defying Trump, as they deem the terminations unlawful — The leaders of several US-funded international networks have instructed their organizations to continue broadcasting …
Discussion:
@demfromct, @brianstelter, The Kyiv Independent, The Diplomat and Lisa Curtis on LinkedIn
The Wrap:
VOA Director Michael Abramowitz condemns its shutdown, saying Trump is “failing to protect US interests”; others say shutting VOA is a “national security issue”
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:
The Post Millennial, New York Daily News, lowyinstitute.org, New York Post, CNN, @chronotope.aramzs.xyz, @sleavenworth.bsky.social, PR Daily, Janice Fischer on LinkedIn, CBS News, Poynter, @paulthedogman.bsky.social, @gr8fash89.bsky.social, @acabcalloway.bsky.social, @kyra_davis@mstdn.social, @charvaka@hivemind.plus, WNYW-TV and Vanity Fair
Freedom of the Press Foundation:
Wired says it plans to drop paywalls for articles that are primarily based on public records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act — The news business isn't just any business — it serves a vital role in our democracy, recognized by the First Amendment. But media outlets can't serve that role if they're bankrupt.
Discussion:
Talking Biz News, CNN, @seth-stern.bsky.social, @eloquence@social.coop, @gregwilliams718.bsky.social, @johncusack.bsky.social, @angusmaccaull.bsky.social, @jonahblank.bsky.social, @josephcox@infosec.exchange, @wired, @dbeecher.bsky.social, @timmarchman.bsky.social, @evystadium.bsky.social, @katie-drummond.bsky.social, @leahfeiger.bsky.social, @warnercrocker.bsky.social, @dsilverman@mastodon.social and @werd.io
Ted Johnson / Deadline:
Democratic FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks plans to step down in spring 2025; President Biden had renominated Starks in 2023 for a new term that ends in 2027 — Geoffrey Starks, one of two Democrats on the Federal Communications Commission, said that he will step down this spring.
Sara Fischer / Axios:
Memo: Daily Wire co-founder Jeremy Boreing plans to step down from his role as co-CEO to focus on creative projects for the company — Jeremy Boreing, co-founder of the Daily Wire, is stepping down from his role as co-CEO to focus on creative projects for the company, he told staff in a memo obtained by Axios on Tuesday.
Discussion:
@jeremydboreing
Reuters:
Tencent Music reports Q4 revenue up 8.2% YoY to ~$1.03B, above ~$1.01B est., social entertainment services revenue down 13% to ~$225M, and net profit up 47.3% — Tencent Music Entertainment (1698.HK) topped analysts' estimates for quarterly revenue on Tuesday with its second straight quarter …
Discussion:
Digital Music News, Music Business Worldwide, Benzinga and Tencent Music
Scharon Harding / Ars Technica:
Some owners of smart TVs and streaming sticks with Roku OS report seeing autoplaying video ads before they can use 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.
Discussion:
@alannaschubach, ARTnews, @jilnotjill.bsky.social and @joshsternberg.com
Todd Spangler / Variety:
In an open letter to the OSTP, Ben Stiller and 400+ Hollywood creatives urge President Trump to not let Google, OpenAI, and others “exploit” copyrighted works — More than 400 Hollywood creative leaders signed an open letter to the Trump White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy …
Discussion:
Plagiarism Today, The Wrap, Axios, CBS News, Music Ally, TheStreet, The Verge, Fast Company, MediaPost, IndieWire, The Wrap, Animation Magazine and New York Daily News, more at Techmeme »
Mark Stenberg / Adweek:
Women's lifestyle publisher Refinery29, sold to Sundial Media in 2024, plans to relaunch its experiential franchise 29Rooms next month as a pop-up series — Under new Sundial Media Group ownership, the first of four pop-ups will be in April in conjunction with Coachella
Sara Fischer / Axios:
Taboola strikes a deal with Microsoft to sell display ads for MSN.com, Outlook, Games, Office products, and more, as it expands beyond native advertising — Taboola struck a deal with Microsoft to sell display ads for MSN.com, Microsoft Outlook, Games and Microsoft's broader Office Suite …
Discussion:
Adam Singolda on LinkedIn and @sarafischer, more at Techmeme »
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:
Billboard, Bossip, Music Ally, Cele|bitchy, DNyuz, @brotigupta, FemaleFirst, CBS News, UPROXX, People, The Wrap, thesource.com, Digital Music News, Music Business Worldwide, The Hollywood Reporter, The Root, @vexwerewolf.bsky.social, Vibe, Reuters, @phillewis.bsky.social, TMZ.com, Consequence, Rolling Stone, Oh No They Didn't! and Fox News
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 …
RELATED:
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
Discussion:
Cele|bitchy, The Daily Wire, @danprimack, Daily Mail, Associated Press, Reuters, FemaleFirst, NPR, LateNighter, UPI, Vanity Fair, Media Play News, TV Insider, Comic Book, Rolling Stone, IndieWire, Adweek, Entertainment Weekly, People, Billboard, GoldDerby, Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter, ABC7, TVLine, New York Daily News and Just Jared
Bureau Reporter - Vietnam, HCMC — 
Curation Editor (Contract), NY — 
Business Editor, CA — 
Executive Ed. - Tech & Electronics, AZ — 
Economy & Industry Reporter, TX — 
ESPN FC Associate Editor, CA/CT — 
Political Enterprise Editor, DC — 
Housing & Real Estate Reporter, ME — 
Investigative & Features Reporter, OR — 
Associate Reporter - Yahoo Finance — 
Senior Editor, Remote — 
Deputy Politics Editor, CA — 
US Foreign Affairs Correspondent, DC — 
Tranding News Reporter, NY — 
Freelance Contributor, FL — 
Senior Reporter, CA — 
Managing Editor - State, CT — 
Sr. VP & Chief Content Officer, OR — 
Digital Content Producer, NV — 
Data Graphics Reporter, CA — 
Town Reporter, CT — 
Weekend Audience Editor, VA — 
Managing Editor, FL — 
Senior Editor - Ideas, Remote US — 
Business Reporter, WA — 
Freelance Reporter, NC — 
Enterprise Journalist, WA — 
Crime & Courts Reporter, OR — 
TV & Pop Culture Critic, MA — 
Cockburn Editor, DC — 
Service Journalism Reporter, PA — 
Writer - Women's Soccer, Remote US — 
Senior IP Reporter, Remote TX — 
Computational Journalist, NY — 
