Top News:
Jillian Deutsch / Bloomberg:
Russia moves to designate Meta as an “extremist organization”; source says WhatsApp won't be affected as it is a means of communication — Russian prosecutors have asked a court to ban Meta Platforms Inc.'s Facebook and Instagram as “extremist,” Interfax reported, the latest move in a growing crackdown on social networks.
Discussion:
Reuters, @nickclegg, The Independent, TechCrunch, Adweek, Protocol, @rmac18, NPR, @donie, @donie, @donie, Metro.co.uk, Euractiv, Radio Free Europe/Radio …, Breitbart and @kevinrothrock, more at Techmeme »
RELATED:
Richard Lawler / The Verge:
Roskomnadzor says it is banning Instagram in Russia from March 14 because Meta now allows posts “calling for violence against Russian citizens” — First Facebook, now Instagram — One week after placing a ban on Facebook in Russia, the country's communications agency Roskomnadzor announced it will ban Instagram, too.
Discussion:
Engadget and BBC, more at Techmeme »
Taylor Lorenz / Washington Post:
Biden administration is working with Gen Z For Change, a nonprofit advocacy group, to brief top TikTok stars about the war in Ukraine — On Thursday afternoon, 30 top TikTok stars gathered on a Zoom call to receive key information about the war unfolding in Ukraine.
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
CNN+ is launching March 29 — People who are interested in CNN Plus finally have a date when they can add it to their streaming repertoire. The WarnerMedia-owned cable-news outlet intends to launch the subscription broadband service on March 29. — The detail — perhaps the last piece …
Discussion:
CNN, CNET, Next TV, Mediaite, The Wrap, TVNewser, Engadget, The Verge, Deadline, @cahnemily, Hollywood Reporter, Media Play News, @owillis, @sarafischer, @_alastair and @sherman4949
Financial Times:
EU and the UK open an antitrust probe into Google and Meta's Jedi Blue deal on online ads; EU is also probing whether Google acted without Meta's knowledge — Europe's competition chief Margrethe Vestager tells FT that ‘Jedi Blue’ deal represents ‘giant problem’ in industry
Discussion:
European Commission, GOV.UK, TechCrunch, Bloomberg, Press Gazette, Angeline's Thoughts, @vestager, CNET, Wall Street Journal, Engadget, Euractiv, CNBC, The Verge, Al Jazeera and The Register, more at Techmeme »
Josef Adalian / Vulture:
Netflix CFO says “never say never” to ads as HBO Max and Disney+ start experimenting with them: the model of low-cost, ad-free streaming was never going to last — Lots of factors played a role in Netflix becoming the world's biggest TV platform within the space of a decade …
Discussion:
@tvmojoe, @r0bwatson, Deadline and Hollywood Reporter
Ali Kucukgocmen / Reuters:
A Turkish court sentences journalist Sedef Kabas to more than two years in prison for tweeting a proverb that was allegedly insulting to Erdogan — A Turkish court on Friday sentenced journalist Sedef Kabas to more than two years in prison after ruling that she insulted the president …
Mitchell Clark / The Verge:
YouTube says it is blocking access to YouTube channels associated with Russian state-funded media globally, expanding from across Europe — RT and Sputnik have been blocked in Europe for over a week — YouTube says that it will start completely blocking YouTube channels funded by the Russian government …
Discussion:
@youtubeinsider, TechCrunch, Variety, Protocol, Engadget, Bloomberg, @hegelwcrmcheese, @justinbaragona, @irisovaolga, @heidibeirich, @maxseddon and @slpng_giants, more at Techmeme »
CBC News:
Saudi blogger Raif Badawi has been released from prison, 10 years after he was jailed for criticizing religious figures and promoting liberal views of Islam — Saudi blogger with family in Quebec spent 10 years behind bars for promoting liberal views of Islam
Discussion:
France 24, @anthony, @raif_badawi and Global News
Ben Sisario / New York Times:
Sony, Warner Music, Universal Music, and Live Nation suspend operations in Russia — The three major record conglomerates and the touring giant Live Nation are suspending operations over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while individual artists have canceled tour dates.
Discussion:
NPR, Digital Music News, Billboard, Music Ally, Variety and AllAccess.com
Angela Fu / Poynter:
A study comparing abstracts from scientific papers with corresponding news articles finds that journalists tend to understate claims made by the authors — The study compared paper abstracts with corresponding news articles and found that journalists generally expressed more uncertainty in their writing.
Discussion:
@poynter, @dharmaadhikari, @caulfieldtim, @spj_tweets and @janebsinger
Associated Press:
A freelance video journalist for The Associated Press has been held for 100 days in Ethiopia without being charged; AP and press advocates call for his release — NEW YORK (AP) — Amir Aman Kiyaro, a freelance journalist accredited to The Associated Press, marked 100 days in detention without charge …
Discussion:
@dakekang, @jacobkushner, @derl, @elaheizadi, @pressfreedom, @pressfreedom, @elaheizadi, @apjoshgoodman, @ap, @zekejmiller, @juliepace, The Definitive Source and The Hill