Top News:
Emma G. Fitzsimmons / New York Times:
The Times of London takes down a story about former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio criticizing Zohran Mamdani, after de Blasio says the outlet fabricated his comments — The former New York City mayor said comments attributed to him about Zohran Mamdani, reported in The Times of London on Tuesday, were fabricated.
Discussion:
The Hill, Washington Post, New York Sun, @pourmecoffee, @drstrangetwit, @sethmpk, @ericlach, @freedlander, @maggieserota, @mikebeauvais, @jbillinson, @daveweigel, @nahmias, @emmagf, @billyfreelandny, @billdeblasio, @billdeblasio, @daveweigel, Blaze Media, @pblest, @daveweigel, @shaifalip, @katie_honan, @jbarro, @grahamstarr, HuffPost, RedState, New York Post and New York Post
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Zachary Leeman / Mediaite:
The Times of London says its “reporter had been misled by an individual falsely claiming to be” Bill de Blasio; it took down its story after two hours — The Times of London was duped by a Bill De Blasio impersonator, with the former New York City mayor saying he was “appalled” to see the false quotes published.
Discussion:
@bencjacobs, @daveweigel and @petertwinklage
Scott Nover / Washington Post:
Radio Free Asia CEO Bay Fang says RFA will stop publishing on October 31 and close its bureaus across Asia, amid a crisis brought on by US federal funding cuts — The government-funded nonprofit, a staple of U.S. soft power in the region since 1996, is facing nearly total closure …
Discussion:
New York Times and @scottnover
Hanaa' Tameez / Nieman Lab:
RISJ survey across 24 countries: news creators and influencers gain more attention in countries with struggling traditional media and high social media usage — A new report highlights how “messy, fragmented, and loosely defined news sources have become for many people.”
Jesse Whittock / Deadline:
DAZN and FIFA plan to relaunch streaming service FIFA+ for free globally in 2026 alongside a multichannel news service; FIFA+ won't offer live World Cup games — With the FIFA World Cup 2026 right around the corner, soccer's governing body has teamed with streamer DAZN to relaunch FIFA+ …
Discussion:
Advanced Television, Inside FIFA and Sports Video Group
Liam Scott / Columbia Journalism Review:
Newspaper archives are at risk in the US, most commonly lost when papers shutter, move, or are purchased; some partner with libraries to preserve their archives — Archivists worry in particular about photographs that have never been digitized. — The Smokehouse Creek Fire burned through …
Discussion:
@samlitzinger.bsky.social, Penny Riordan on LinkedIn and @scottnover.bsky.social
Todd Spangler / Variety:
Paramount Skydance lays off ~1,000 staff, mostly in the US; in a memo, David Ellison says the cuts “are necessary to position Paramount for long-term success” — Paramount Skydance, aiming to get leaner and meaner, today is laying off about 1,000 employees, mostly in the U.S. David Ellison …
Olivia Poh / Bloomberg:
Publicis agrees to acquire Singapore-based Hepmil Media Group, which works with 3K+ creators to make memes and content for 450+ brands, for an undisclosed sum — Advertising giant Publicis Groupe SA agreed to buy Singapore's Hepmil Media Group to bolster its social-media expertise in Southeast Asia's rapidly growing online market.
Discussion:
Tech in Asia, TNGlobal, The Business Times and The Straits Times
Chris Roush / Talking Biz News:
CBS News hires Charles Forelle, who recently left his role as deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal; he had been with the WSJ since 2002 — Charles Forelle, who recently left his role as deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal, has been hired at CBS News in a similar role, reports Lachlan Cartwright of Breaker.
Discussion:
Breaker
Winston Cho / The Hollywood Reporter:
Paramount signs a 10-year lease for 285K+ square feet at 1888 Studios in Bayonne, NJ, making it eligible for tax credits of up to 40% for movies and TV shows — The move to 1888 Studios comes amid New Jersey's rapid rise as a production hotspot. — Paramount is coming to New Jersey …
Trishla Ostwal / Adweek:
Some ad buyers say brands are increasingly spending on Reddit due to the site's prominence in AI-powered search results and its growing audience — Advertisers are increasingly putting their digital ad spend into Reddit, drawn by the platform's growing audience and its influence …
John Koblin / New York Times:
NBC's entire primetime lineup on Sundays and Tuesdays is now reserved for sporting events through the spring, a stark example of broadcast TV's focus on live TV — Broadcast TV continues to draw big audiences. And they are increasingly getting special events, award shows and sports — lots of sports.
Discussion:
@dannygroner.bsky.social and Awful Announcing
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