Top News:


Binance invests $200M to help Forbes with its plan to go public via a SPAC in Q1 2022, making Binance one of Forbes' two largest owners after its listing — - Binance, the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange, is making a $200 million strategic investment in Forbes, the 104-year old magazine and digital publisher, CNBC has learned.
Discussion:
Axios, Forbes, The Guardian, Insider, TechCrunch, @krugermacro, @coryklippsten, @seldo, Protocol, New York Post, @sub8u, @alexeheath, @tante, Web3 News, @dgisserious, @tomgara, @protocol, Financial Times, @justinsuntron, @ahcastor, @aaberwick, @thedomino, @c1aranmurray, @timccopeland, @claireatki, @binance, @davidgokhshtein, @wublockchain, @hugh_son, @alex, @cz_binance and City A.M., more at Techmeme »


New York appeals court temporarily stays an order by a state trial judge, allowing the NYT to publish and retain documents concerning Project Veritas — A state appeals court said that a judge's order preventing publication of the documents would not be enforced until a formal appeal could be heard.
Discussion:
Freedom of the Press …, @nytmedia, @freedomofpress, @grynbaum, @jeremylittau, @adamgoldmannyt and @lrozen


Snoop Dogg acquires Death Row Records from Blackstone-controlled company MNRK Music Group — Snoop Dogg has acquired Death Row Records from the Blackstone-controlled company MNRK Music Group. — According to a press release via Business Wire, the rap legend will be leading the brand for the coming years as its new owner.


The US Senate follows the House in approving a bill barring companies from using forced arbitration in sexual assault or harassment claims; Biden will sign it — Some lawmakers want to ban such clauses for other complaints, such as racial discrimination — WASHINGTON—Companies would no longer …


WaPo plans to add 70 newsroom positions this year, including nearly 20 roles focused on health and wellness and over 20 focused on climate and extreme weather — The plan, which includes the addition of at least 70 newsroom roles, also will expand coverage of social issues, technology and international investigations
Discussion:
Washington Post, @sominisengupta, @eilperin, @philiprucker, @bethsawin, @zhirji28, @lffriedman, @sammy_roth, @oliverdarcy, @sammy_roth and @lizsly


Netflix in 2021: 51.7% of workers were women, up from 48.7%; 13.3% of US leaders were Black, up from 10.9%, and 8.6% of US workers were Hispanic, up from 7.9% — Netflix has increased the diversity of its U.S. staff, including more Black top executives, as the company looks to have its workforce better mirror the broader population.
Discussion:
About Netflix, The Wrap, Variety and @lucas_shaw, more at Techmeme »


The bitcoin-related arrest of a writer who posted 47 times on Forbes.com highlights earlier use of Forbes' contributor network for scams, PR, or bad journalism — That “rapper” accused of billions in crypto fraud was also a Forbes contributor. Is it finally time to move past the contributor network?
Discussion:
@jbenton, @kantrowitz, @jppullen, @bgrueskin, @sciguyspace, @vectorpoem, @paulbradleycarr, @technollama, @ckrewson, @brucebartlett, @karlbode, @eliotwb, @robinwigg, @jbenton, @brosandprose, @parkermolloy, @annatarkov, @risj_oxford, @netculture, @stephenbeck, @byrontau, @tprice504, Newslit Daily, The Muffin por Mauricio …, @kateconger, @mmasnick, Boing Boing, @sir_ruffy, @pearseanderson, @dangillmor, @charliebeckett, @josh_emerson, @lyssaslounge, @jackmarshall, @caseynewton, @bryanrolli, @jeremy_borden, @ckrewson, @scottnover, @anthony, @niemanlab, @erinahennessy, @lpolgreen, @sarahnemerson and @blakersdozen, more at Techmeme »

Twitter misses with Q4 revenue of $1.57B, up 22% YoY, net income of $182M, down 18% YoY; 217M mDAUs, up from 192M YoY; FY 2021 revenue hit $5.08B, up 37% YoY — Annual Revenue Growth of 37% to $5.08 Billion and Average Monetizable Daily Active Usage (mDAU) Growth of 13% to 217 Million in Q4
Discussion:
Variety, MacDailyNews, The Wrap, @twitterir, The Verge, @brianstelter, @twitterir and CNBC, more at Techmeme »


YouTube details creator updates: new video effects, editing capabilities, and monetization tools for Shorts, Shopping expansion, Studio improvements, and more — A lot of new features are in the works for 2022 — YouTube is expanding the ways creators can monetize their content …
Discussion:
YouTube Official Blog, TechCrunch, Protocol, @fwiz and @nealmohan, more at Techmeme »


Q&A with The Athletic co-founders on the reasoning behind the sale to The New York Times, including respect for NYT's expertise in growing subscriptions — - The Athletic co-founders Alex Mather and Adam Hansmann spoke to CNBC in their first interview since selling to The New York Times.
Discussion:
@mediaevan, @markjburns88 and @sherman4949


UK culture secretary formally releases News UK from legal restrictions dating to 1981, which guaranteed the editorial independence of the Times and Sunday Times — The Culture Secretary has formally released News UK from its legal undertakings to keep The Times and The Sunday Times separate.


Sting sells his songwriting catalog, covering song copyrights and royalties as a songwriter, to UMG; the deal is estimated to be worth $250M or more — The deal, worth an estimated $250 million, covers his entire output as a songwriter, including solo work and hits by the Police like “Every Breath You Take.”
Discussion:
Variety, Forbes, The Wrap, Reuters, @film_girl, @thewrap, New York Post, Wall Street Journal, @billboardbiz, Music Business Worldwide, @umg and Rolling Stone