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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:
The Desk, Washington-Baltimore …, Politico, DNyuz, Foreign Policy, Radio Free Asia, Wall Street Journal, TVNewsCheck, South China Morning Post, Agence France-Presse, Global Times, New York Times, @wang_maya, @hadas_gold, @taiwanfcc, @brianstelter, The Diplomat, BBC, Taiwan Foreign …, @radiofreeasia, @ewong, Phelim Kine on LinkedIn, @wbng.org, Poynter, @boerdeng, The Guardian, @pearsonelaine, ABC, @passantino.bsky.social, NBC News, Washington Post, Global Times, Washington Examiner, Bloomberg, HuffPost and RedState
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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, Lisa Curtis on LinkedIn and The Diplomat

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, @stevenlevy, @seth-stern.bsky.social, @eloquence@social.coop, @gregwilliams718.bsky.social, @johncusack.bsky.social, @angusmaccaull.bsky.social, @dbeecher.bsky.social, @jonahblank.bsky.social, @timmarchman.bsky.social, @evystadium.bsky.social, @wired, @katie-drummond.bsky.social, @josephcox@infosec.exchange, @leahfeiger.bsky.social, @warnercrocker.bsky.social, @dsilverman@mastodon.social and @werd.io


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, Benzinga, Music Business Worldwide and Tencent Music


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.


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:
@iancarrollshow, @imbrettcooper, @paleofuture.bsky.social and @jeremydboreing


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 …


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.


The Independent plans to launch Bulletin, a news service that uses Google AI tools to provide article summaries overseen by its journalists, later this month — UK-based publisher joins newsrooms around the world in grappling with existential threat posed by new technology
Discussion:
Press Gazette, @getwired.bsky.social, @jackcarterbenjamin … and @jaspar.bsky.social


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 »


Deezer reports 2024 revenue up 12% YoY to €542M and ~9.7M total subscribers, and says it achieved positive free cash flow, a first for the company — Spotify rival seeks to invest in research and development after reaching ‘massive milestone’ — Deezer has hailed a “milestone” …


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


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 …
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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, NPR, FemaleFirst, 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