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Recordings: a Kremlin-tied tycoon said he bought Forbes; the $800M deal lead, Austin Russell, denies foreign involvement, as sources say CFIUS is investigating — Austin Russell, the American tech founder leading the deal, says there is no Russian involvement


The few journalists in Gaza try to report on the war while staying fed, hydrated, housed, and safe; journalists have been unable to enter Gaza since October 7 — A limited number of journalists in Gaza are trying to report on the war with Israel while facing the same problems …
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A closer look at the lives and deaths of six of at least 22 Palestinian, Israeli, and Lebanese journalists who have been killed during the Israel-Hamas war — At least 19 journalists have been killed in the Israel-Gaza war since Oct. 7, the Committee to Protect Journalists said this week.


The theatrical release of Killers of the Flower Moon, followed by Napoleon and Argylle, debuts Apple's new film strategy, which may raise Apple TV+'s profile — Tech giant prioritises cinemas over streaming as it pushes deeper into Hollywood — Tim Cook is not known for the theatrical flair …
Discussion:
Christopher Grimes on LinkedIn, The Wrap, New York Times and 9to5Mac


Newsrooms re-examine their use of “terrorist” in light of the Israel-Hamas war and some major newsrooms ban the word's use, sending readers fleeing in repulsion — Leaked memos show the policy spreading, with growing credibility costs. At least one reporter has resigned in protest.


SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher works to bridge factional divides, gently rebuffing George Clooney's proposals, and urges members not to succumb to pressure — “Member unity will be my greatest legacy,” she promised in her campaign statement this summer, and she sought reelection.
Discussion:
@bourbonroad, @samuelroukin, Deadline, IGN, The Daily Beast, CBS News, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, The Wrap and Vanity Fair


September 2023 survey: 32% of US adults trust mass media “a great deal” or a “fair amount”; 29% have “not very much” trust and a record 39% have “none at all” — WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 32% of Americans who say they trust the mass media …
Discussion:
Poynter, @natesilver538, Steven Waldman on LinkedIn, @edithcharles.bsky.social, @wagatwe.bsky.social, The Wrap, Mediaite and The Hill


Sources: the WGA's board is divided on how to respond to the Israel-Hamas war, worried that some activist members will oppose a statement supporting the country — Multiple sources say the WGA's board remains divided on how to respond after Hamas' attack on Oct. 7, worried …


A look at Cameo's peak during the pandemic and subsequent fall due to its trouble recruiting big stars, CEO Steven Galanis' unfocused management style, and more — A start-up that offers fans a way to buy personalized videos from celebrities was supercharged by pandemic boredom and venture capital.
Discussion:
@sapna, @kerrymflynn, @katie_robertson, @ckrewson, @bmorrissey, @bmorrissey, @eringriffith, @sapna, @pkafka and @juxtacognition.bsky.social, more at Techmeme »


Twitch now lets creators simulcast across any live streaming service, with caveats, and adds doxxing and swatting to its Off-Service Conduct enforcement list — Previously, streamers could simulcast on mobile platforms like TikTok and Instagram, but as of Friday, Twitch is significantly broadening …
Discussion:
@parental_onkick, @chen, @dexb0t, @bobducknweave, @peeverson, @pike2c, @imkatastrophe, @twitch, @zachbussey, @vanni_exe, @bobducknweave, Engadget, Decrypt, Engadget and PRWeek, more at Techmeme »


President Biden's address seeking aid for Israel and Ukraine on October 19 averaged 22.12M viewers across Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, and six US broadcast networks — ABC draws the largest share of viewers for the speech, while Fox News tops cable outlets.


Edward Bleier, a basic cable TV pioneer who oversaw Warner Bros.' development of networks like MTV, Nickelodeon, and The Movie Channel, died on October 17 at 94 — Seeing untold promise in new technology, he was a prime mover in the creation of the cable industry, helping to transform Time Warner Cable into a giant in the field.
Discussion:
@looneyterrace, @nemalki, @woolf_atthedoor, @kalenvx123, Gary Hahn on LinkedIn, @jbflint, @notjessewalker, @stewartschley, The Wrap and Publishers Weekly


News publishers scramble to adjust to declining referral traffic, as Meta, X, and even Google become less dependable at amplifying and supporting journalism — News organizations are scrambling to adjust to the latest rift in the long-fractious relationship between publishers and tech platforms.
Discussion:
@jwherrman, @emilybell, @emilybell, @emilybell, @jwherrman, @emilybell, Mike Donoghue on LinkedIn, John Battelle's Search Blog, Dan Patio Dalton on LinkedIn, Simon Owens's Media Newsletter, Jeanne Meyer on LinkedIn, Ryan Sager on LinkedIn, American Press Institute, @matthewkeyslive, @davidclinchnews, @i_am_fabs, @kantrowitz, @semaforben, @newsalliance, @claycampaigne, @davidclinchnews, Beyond Search, @frozencanuck@mas.to, Alan Soon on LinkedIn, @thekenyeung@mastodon.social, @jeffjarvis@mastodon.social, @dangillmor@mastodon.social, @phoca2004@mastodon.scot and Reuters
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Source: X removed the main New York Times account's “verified” badge on October 17 without notice; source: X traffic to the NYT is down ~50% since August 2023
Discussion:
Daniel Tunkelang on LinkedIn, Ars Technica, New York Post, UPI, The Wrap, @bgrueskin, @karaswisher, @karaswisher, @karaswisher, @kimmasters, Cord Cutters News, @dkiesow@threads.net, @dankennedy_nu@threads.net, @bkeegan@hci.social, @drewharwell@mastodon.social, @TimKarr@mastodon.social, @ianbetteridge@writing …, @dangillmor@mastodon.social and @johnshirley2024 …, more at Techmeme »