Top News:
Kara Swisher / New York Times:
Twitter needs a code of values requiring it to make tough calls on high-profile and malevolent figures like Alex Jones — The platform won't ban the dangerous liar Alex Jones because he “hasn't violated our rules.” Then what's the point of these rules? — This week, Alex Jones …
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Oliver Darcy / CNNMoney:
Analysis of Infowars Twitter content shows videos that led to YouTube and other bans were still live, while other tweets showed more Twitter rules violations — Why Facebook,YouTube and Apple are removing InfoWars content — Twitter's vice president for trust and safety, Del Harvey …
Discussion:
Fast Company, Mediaite, Poynter, @eriqgardner, infowars.com, The Verge, The Wrap and The Daily Caller, more at Techmeme »
Richard Allan / Facebook:
VP of policy details Facebook's limits to free speech: physically or financially endangering people, intimidating via hateful words, tricking people for profit — Hard Questions is a series from Facebook that addresses the impact of our products on society.
Discussion:
TechCrunch, @max_read, @mekosoff, @jfruh, @cwarzel and Fortune, more at Techmeme »
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Max Fisher / New York Times:
After treating Facebook-fueled violence as occurring only in developing countries, the company now finds wealthier places aren't immune from hate speech issues — To Americans, Facebook's Alex Jones problem might seem novel, even unprecedented. — When does speech become unsafe? When can it be limited?
Discussion:
Nieman Lab, @sharonwaxman, @amelia_acker, @splcenter, @max_fisher, @rasmus_kleis, @jjvincent, @raeuberhose, @samarajiva, @rajit_h, @ericeweir, @kellyriess and New York Times
BuzzFeed News:
Apple says Infowars podcast violated company's hate speech guidelines but implies its app doesn't violate App Store guidelines
Apple says Infowars podcast violated company's hate speech guidelines but implies its app doesn't violate App Store guidelines
Discussion:
New York Times, The Hill, Fast Company, @lizwahl, infowars.com, Business Insider, TechCrunch, Fortune, @dpfunke, New York Times and 9to5Mac, more at Techmeme »
Charles Riley / CNNMoney:
Tribune calls off its $3.9B merger with Sinclair, sues Sinclair for breach of contract, seeking $1B in damages — Trump angry with FCC chair over Sinclair deal — The Sinclair Broadcast Group acquisition of Tribune Media is dead. — Tribune said in a statement Thursday that it has terminated …
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal, Adweek, Free Press, Chicago Business, Broadcasting & Cable, @lynnemarek, The Wrap, Washington Post, Rantt, Media Matters for America, @repmikequigley, TVNewser, TVSpy, @senblumenthal, Mediaite, The Guardian, @hadas_gold, @alexweprin, The Daily Beast, CNBC and Variety
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Greg Roumeliotis / Reuters:
Sources: Donerail Group, led by former Starboard Value LP executive Will Wyatt, is in advanced talks to acquire Tronc — (Reuters) - Donerail Group, an investment firm led by former activist hedge fund Starboard Value LP executive Will Wyatt, is in talks to acquire Tronc Inc (TRNC.O) …
Discussion:
@lynnemarek, @gerryfsmith and Chicago Tribune
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Wallace Witkowski / MarketWatch:
Tronc reports Q2 revenue of $253M, up 3.9% YoY and net loss of $15.1M — Tronc Inc. TRNC, +1.92% shares slipped in the extended session Thursday following a run-up fueled by reports of a possible buyout after the media company reported quarterly results. Tronc shares slipped 0.5% after hours …
Discussion:
Reuters, Business Insider, MarketWatch and @lynnemarek
Elizabeth Spiers / Washington Post:
The former EIC of NY Observer says Jared Kushner's demand that an IT worker delete several stories fits with the Trump family's hostility to journalism — I was editor in chief of the New York Observer when he allegedly had stories removed from the digital archive in secret.
Discussion:
@netaustin, @davidpriess and @espiers
Chaim Gartenberg / The Verge:
Samsung and Spotify partner to build Spotify's services into smartphones, Bixby, and other Samsung devices — Samsung has announced that it's entering a long-term partnership with Spotify, including support for the just-announced Galaxy Home smart speaker.
Discussion:
newsroom.spotify.com, RAIN News, Engadget, CNBC, Variety and @spotify, more at Techmeme »
Christine Schmidt / Nieman Lab:
The Wall Street Journal has revamped its newsletters, whittling from 126 to about 40, trimming length, adding subscription requests, and improving interactivity — “The newsletter itself in your inbox is simply not enough. What is it like to speak to the editor if you reply?
Discussion:
@fpmarconi, @rwhelanwsj, @anotherhelen, @steverubel and @whatthebit
Shan Wang / Nieman Lab:
Interview with Karin Pettersson, Schibsted's director of public policy, on her new role and the publication's relationship with Google and Facebook — “We can't say that Facebook is destroying democracy, but then have our newspapers collaborate with them very, very closely …
Discussion:
@ab_karin, @niemanlab, @georgdiez1, @jayrosen_nyu and @rasmus_kleis
Lukas I. Alpert / Wall Street Journal:
News Corp beats estimates with revenue of $2.69B, a 29% increase YoY, reports net loss of $372M attributable to shareholders, in part due to Foxtel transaction — Write-off related to Australian TV deal contributes to net loss — The consolidation of Australian television assets helped …
Discussion:
Sydney Morning Herald, Reuters and News Corp