Top News:
Jody Godoy / Reuters:
The FTC approves Omnicom's $13.5B acquisition of rival Interpublic on the condition that the new company does not boycott platforms over political content — Omnicom's (OMC.N) $13.5 billion acquisition of rival Interpublic (IPG.N) can move forward on the condition that the new company does …
Discussion:
Federal Trade Commission, The Verge, @wendyndavis, MediaPost, MarketWatch, @sarafischer, @afergusonftc, Variety, BMI, @matthewstoller, Axios, New York Times, Reuters, Adweek, @xpangler, The Wrap, @leehepner, @allumbokhari, Radio & Television …, @benremaly, Reclaim The Net, @laurenshirsch, @ftc, Business Insider, @afergusonftc, @leehepner, The Hollywood Reporter, campaignlive.co.uk and Global Competition Review, more at Techmeme »
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New York Times:
Media Matters sues the FTC, saying its inquiry into advertiser boycotts of X is part of a “campaign of retribution” by the Trump administration and Elon Musk — The liberal advocacy organization said in a lawsuit that the Federal Trade Commission's inquiry into boycotts with other advertising groups was “retribution.”
Lauren Wolfe / Committee to Protect Journalists:
Russia frees Ukrainian journalist Vladislav Yesypenko, detained since March 2021, and Belarus frees Belarusian journalist Ihar Karnei, detained since July 2023 — The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release of Ukrainian journalist Vladislav Yesypenko and Belarusian journalist Ihar Karnei …
Discussion:
Radio Free Europe/Radio …, The Kyiv Independent, Radio Free Europe/Radio …, Novaya Gazeta Europe, @rferl, @tsihanouskaya, @janlipavsky, Associated Press, @stevecapus, @denizyuksel130, Radio Free Europe/Radio …, @rferlpress, CBS News, Reporters Without Borders, The Crimean Human Rights Group, @andrii_sybiha, @stevecapus, @hannaliubakova.bsky.social, @kyivindependent.com, @stevecapus, PEN America, @davidfolkenflik, @rferlpress, @alsukurmasheva and @alsukurmasheva
Ben Smith / Semafor:
Steve Bannon launches a fierce public challenge against Fox News for its pro-war stance on Iran, accusing it of propaganda and calling for a FARA investigation — A key force in the populist MAGA media, former Trump campaign chief and White House aide Steve Bannon, has turned his opposition …
Najat Kantouar / Wall Street Journal:
Axel Springer wants to double its value by 2030 through AI, long-term relationships with readers, and reducing reliance on search engines and social media — The company intends to reduce its reliance on search engines and social media — Axel Springer said it plans to double …
Discussion:
@jeffjarvis.bsky.social, MediaPost and Reuters
Decca Muldowney / The Verge:
How online fandom communities are advocating against AI, including protesting companies scraping fanfic content for AI training and opposing AI-generated fanfic — ‘It is a gift. They stole it without my permission.’ … In the online world of fanfiction writers, who pen stories inspired …
Discussion:
Gizmodo
Matt Smith / Press Gazette:
Politics Joe puts its video podcasts behind a Patreon paywall, citing YouTube's revenue model limitations, and has 400+ subscribers five days after launch — Five days after launch brand attracts 400 paying subscribers on Patreon. — Politics Joe has put its video podcasts behind a paywall …
Sahil Patel / The Information:
Sources: Google reduces its Google TV and Android TV budget by 10% and cuts Android TV and Google TV's ~300 employees by up to 25%, as it focuses on YouTube — Google has cut its smart TV budget and trimmed its team—marking the most concrete signs yet of the company's waning interest competing …
Melissa Korn / Wall Street Journal:
News Corp extends CEO Robert Thomson's contract through June 2030, as it faces AI headwinds; Thomson joined in 2013 and his previous deal ran through June 2027 — Thomson has pursued digital growth and focused the company on core areas of news, book publishing and digital real estate
Meera Pattni / Semafor:
Semafor appoints Andrew Friedman as General Manager and Head of Public Affairs; he joins Semafor from Google, where he served on the US Elections team — Semafor today announced the appointment of Andrew Friedman as General Manager and Head of Public Affairs, as the global news platform accelerates …
Discussion:
@davelee.me
Rick Porter / The Hollywood Reporter:
Disney names Jilly Pearce as head of unscripted programming for ABC and Hulu; Pearce was previously the president of Objective Media Group America — The executive was most recently president of Objective Media Group America. — Disney is filling a key executive post in its unscripted division.
Discussion:
Deadline
Ted Johnson / Deadline:
Filing: CBS calls Trump's 60 Minutes lawsuit against the network “meritless” and an attempt to “evade bedrock First Amendment principles” — As settlement talks continue between the legal teams of Paramount Global and Donald Trump, CBS once again characterized …
Discussion:
The Wrap, @tdogmedia.bsky.social, Variety and TVNewsCheck
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