Top News:

Weinstein Co. board of directors says in letter to bidders Maria Contreras-Sweet and Ron Burkle that they will pursue bankruptcy as talks for a sale break down — Maria Contreras-Sweet and Ron Burkle were part of a bid to buy the embattled company. — The Weinstein Co. board of directors …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, NPR, Deadline, 89.3 KPCC, New York Daily News, Jezebel, @sharonwaxman and The Wrap

CBS is launching CBS Sports HQ, a free 24-hour streaming service dedicated to sports coverage — CBS is taking another swing at the streaming-video sector with the launch of a free 24-hour digital sports-news outlet known as CBS Sports HQ. — Executives said the service will feature live news …
Discussion:
Adweek

Unwilling to attack grieving students, the NRA turns to Trump's playbook, attacking the news media with claim that media “love mass shootings” — One of the more outrageous assertions in a week overrun with them was Dana Loesch's outright lie that journalists relish massacres of children.
Discussion:
@joshtpm, @porter_anderson, @30bike, @andrewgraham88 and @prrosado
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Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar says Facebook and Twitter should be fined if they don't remove automated bots or accounts trying to influence US public opinion — Klobuchar thinks social media must invest more on prevention — Democrat sponsoring bill requiring social media ad disclosure

Current and former Newsweek staff on how an editorial strategy prioritizing clicks amid IBT Media's troubles led to firings and embarrassing editorial missteps — It stands accused of improper ties to a religious institution. Its newsroom has been gutted by firings and resignations.
Discussion:
@davidsirota, @ericapishdadian and iMediaEthics

A number of Australian media companies, including News Corp Australia, are seeking to intervene in a damages case involving Hollywood star Rebel Wilson — News Corp Australia, Fairfax Media, Macquarie Media, the ABC and the Seven and Nine networks line up with publisher Bauer

NBC Sports and Refinery29 partner for a yearlong editorial and marketing Instagram project telling stories about women in sports called On Her Turf — NBC Sports and Refinery29 are embarking on a yearlong social editorial and marketing partnership focused on telling stories about female athletes and other women in sports.
Discussion:
@digiday

Due to vague YouTube guidelines and unpredictable demonetization actions some YouTube creators promote the Brave browser, where users can tip via Brave Payments — Cryptocurrency hits YouTube — It's a scary time for YouTubers: YouTube's community guidelines are changing seemingly on the fly …

A look at the evolution of marijuana journalism as it moves away from activism and gimmicks toward the kind of lifestyle coverage reserved for food and wine — Surveying the past, present, and future of marijuana journalism. — “The caramel-chocolate flavored candy bar looked so innocent …

After claims that CNN scripted words for a Florida student for town hall, CNN releases emails showing student was asked to use a question he submitted — CNN appears to have had enough. — On Friday afternoon, the network released email correspondence between one of its producers …
Discussion:
Vox, Deadline, @alexwitt, iMediaEthics, Slate, Business Insider, @erikwemple, @jaketapper, @upstreamism, @heidiprzybyla, Mediaite, @erikwemple, WPLG-TV, @erikwemple, TVNewser, PolitiFact, Breitbart, Washington Examiner, @erikwemple, @erikwemple, @erikwemple, Mediaite, New York Post and Variety

Study: number of fact-checking projects up 3x over the last four years, with 149 projects in 53 countries; funding comes from membership, donations, syndication — A new report from the Duke Reporters' Lab offers a snapshot of the evolving fact-checking ecosystem around the world.
Discussion:
@raju

Judge dismisses coal baron Bob Murray's defamation suit against John Oliver and HBO, which was filed in response to a Last Week Tonight segment criticizing him — A West Virginia judge dismissed a coal mogul's defamation lawsuit this week against cable television host John Oliver and HBO.
Discussion:
The Wrap, @billinportland, Mashable, @eshap, @mike_stark, @garymwalters, The A.V. Club, Paste and Connecticut Post