Top News:
The Guardian:
Israel threatens to sue the NYT for defamation over the article on sexual abuse of Palestinian prisoners but the legal viability of the lawsuit is in doubt — Media law experts cast doubt on viability of a defamation lawsuit promised by Netanyahu over Nicholas Kristof essay
Discussion:
@israelmfa, @netanyahu, Poynter, Melanie Phillips, @nytimespr, @aloner.bsky.social, Zeteo, CBS News, The Free Press, @etanetan23, @jillfilipovic, The Washington Free Beacon, Truthout, @adamsteinbaugh, @patrickodonne11, Straight Arrow News, @rvawonk, @jeremymbarr, @etanetan23, MS NOW, @scalzi.com, Washington Times, Newsbusters, The Gateway Pundit, The Daily Wire, New York Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, Boing Boing, Townhall, RedState, Financial Times, The Hill, Breitbart, Asia Times, Haaretz, Jewish Insider, Reuters, New York Post, Haaretz and The Wrap
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Alyssa Ray / The Wrap:
The NYT defends Nicholas Kristof's op-ed “The Silence That Meets the Rape of Palestinians”, calling it “deeply reported”, after Israeli government criticism
Discussion:
Al Jazeera, New York Times, Mediaite, @nytimespr, twitchy.com, Originally Reported …, @nickkristof, The Forward, Algemeiner.com, @israelmfa, RedState, HotAir, The Daily Signal, Zeteo, @israelmfa, @sturgeons_law, @davidharsanyi, @redsteeze, @noahpollak, @chuckrossdc, @scottjenningsky, @salhachimi, @ryangrim, @infinite_jaz, @waltersobchaksr, @maxblumenthal, @noahpollak, @paulskallas, @susanabulhawa, @bonchieredstate, @ratlpolicy, @aaronjmate, @amasad, @havivrettiggur, @elikowaz, @redsteeze, @leibowitzadak, @zaidjilani, Washington Examiner, Fox News, The Times of Israel, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Newsbusters
Democracy for Sale:
Docs show how the UK's Society of Media Lawyers lobbied government officials to push back on anti-SLAPP legislation, arguing it will enable abuse by the press — Exclusive: A discreet lobbying campaign by lawyers who have acted for oligarchs and the super-rich told government that reforming England's libel laws was too difficult.
Discussion:
Press Gazette and TBIJ
Angela Fu / Poynter:
Indiegraf acquires News Revenue Hub's donation management tool RevEngine, its third acquisition in three months after Hearken and Stylebot — Indiegraf, known for its content management system, has made acquisitions a part of its strategy to help promote newsroom independence
Discussion:
Mary Walter-Brown on LinkedIn
Axios:
Sources: Paramount is weighing expanding its podcast business into distribution and has had talks with Katie Miller, the Paragon Collective, and Jubilee Media — Paramount is evaluating a potential distribution deal with Katie Miller as it considers expanding its podcast business beyond creative …
Discussion:
Business Insider, @aidnmclaughlin, @drewharwell, Mediaweek, Raw Story and Washington Examiner
Kyle Chayka / New Yorker:
A look at neighborhood newsletters in NY and elsewhere, which tend to be solo operations with small-scale followings, but point to a desire for local media — Local newsletters from “The Boerum Bulletin” in Brooklyn to “The Eastside Rag” in L.A. are providing a sense of community that's missing from our algorithmic feeds.
Discussion:
@caseymlewis and @hamishmckenzie
Elisa Shearer / Pew Research Center:
When asked what it means to be a good news consumer, 20% of US adults mention being discerning, 17% following the news, 13% getting news from quality sources — The Pew-Knight Initiative supports new research on how Americans absorb civic information, form beliefs and identities, and engage in their communities.
Jake Kanter / Deadline:
Sources: Paramount's WBD deal to absorb HBO Max may breach its joint venture agreement with Comcast to avoid direct streaming competition in European markets — Industry sources said Paramount's proposed ownership of HBO Max will likely put the David Ellison-run company in breach …
Erik Hayden / The Hollywood Reporter:
Q&A with Byron Allen on his plan to place BuzzFeed and HuffPost content on his AVOD service, Local Now, and his plan to buy Starz, in which he has an 11% stake — The mogul went to the bargain bin to snap up a Millennial media brand. That's just one part of his plan.
Discussion:
LateNighter, Washington Post, Variety, New York Magazine, TheDesk.net, Bloomberg, The A.V. Club and Puck
Todd Spangler / Variety:
A look at Matthew McConaughey's novel legal strategy to fight unauthorized AI use of his image, which involves trademarking video and audio clips of him — The actor has secured trademarks covering his persona, hoping to deter unauthorized AI use. Will it make a difference?
Discussion:
@kennysmith.org
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
Sources: Disney has sold more than 10 Super Bowl ad slots of 30 seconds for around $9M each, after sources said it was seeking $10M from advertisers — Mickey Mouse may have to execute some tricky plays in a quest for Super Bowl cheddar. … Disney has sold more than 10 30-second ad slots …
Discussion:
Awful Announcing, Sports Business Journal, The Drum and Marketing Brew
Katie Kilkenny / The Hollywood Reporter:
BET partners with microdrama company aTwist, formerly known as Microco, to develop and distribute the latter's series across linear and digital platforms — The Paramount brand inks a deal with the startup firm from Hollywood vets Jana Winograde, Susan Rovner and Lloyd Braun.
Discussion:
The Wrap, Media Play News and C21Media
Janko Roettgers / The Verge:
Job listings indicate Netflix has been building an internal studio called INKUbator that aims to use AI to produce short-form animated content — The newly formed unit is staffing up to produce ‘feature-quality content’ with generative AI. … Netflix has been building …
Discussion:
Engadget, Business Standard, AR Insider, @jank0@sfba.social, TVREV, Tech Times, TVBEurope, Digital Trends, Animation Magazine, Android Authority and Sherwood News
Max Goldbart / Deadline:
ITV says it remains in “active discussions” with Sky over a sale of its M&E business, and reports Q1 revenue flat YoY to £877M and Studios up 4% YoY to £400M — ITV is still in “active discussions” with Sky over a sale of its network to the pay-TV giant.
Discussion:
Reuters, Advanced Television, Broadband TV News, The Independent, The Hollywood Reporter, TVBEurope and Reuters
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