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David Smith, executive chairman of Sinclair, acquires Baltimore Sun Media from Alden, which bought it in May 2021; Sinclair wasn't involved in the transaction — The Baltimore Sun, the largest newspaper in Maryland, has been acquired in a private deal by David D. Smith …
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Memo: BI CEO Barbara Peng says an internal review found reporting on plagiarism in Neri Oxman's MIT thesis to be rigorous and fair; Axel Springer stands by BI — Owner Axel Springer says it ‘stands by’ publication amid dispute with academic and her husband Bill Ackman
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Apple's September 2023 change to how its Podcasts app automatically downloads episodes dramatically cut the download numbers for some of the biggest podcasts — The News — Apple has quietly tightened its reporting of how many people listen to podcasts, sending shock waves through …
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@ewerickson, @semafor, @missmollymary, @michaelbkelley, @akwyz, @semafor, Podnews, @quantum49er, @baldur@toot.cafe, @mikebrice, @kevinrothrock@infosec …, @johnkoetsier, @unbranded63, @clive@saturation.social, @js@podcastindex.social, Cam Wilson on LinkedIn and Hacker News, more at Techmeme »


How Clarissa Ward, the first Western reporter to enter Gaza without an IDF escort since October 7, highlights Arab suffering as she faces pro-Israel bias claims — Clarissa Ward, the first Western reporter to enter Gaza without an I.D.F. escort since October 7th, has faced accusations …
Discussion:
@lconecnn


Anchors and network correspondents talk about covering the unconventional and an unusual Iowa GOP primary, the differences from 2016, media mistrust, and more — The Iowa caucus on Monday will be like no other — and that was apparent from the start, well before subzero weather raised doubts …
Discussion:
The Hill, Washington Post, Slate, The Atlantic, Variety, New York Post, New York Times, CBS News, Associated Press, Rolling Stone, @edokeefe, Mediaite, @bencjacobs, Fox News, @sopandeb, @nbcnewspr, Politico, New York Times, @noahshachtman@threads.net, Semafor, @grynbaum, Los Angeles Times, New Yorker, NPR, Deseret News and Fast Company


Showmax, available in 50 African countries, relaunches, appoints Andrea Zappia as chair, and partners with Comcast, aiming to generate $1B revenue in five years — - Showmax re-launched its service on Monday to grow audiences — Service is targeting $1 billion in revenues in five years
Discussion:
TechCabal, The Guardian Nigeria, Reuters, @ganiuoloruntade, Financial Times, @id_africa, @godwinmungwadzi, @bellesapepper37, Technext, @moseskemibaro, Tech Labari, MyBroadband, techeconomy.ng, TechCabal, Techpoint Africa, @philmphela, Tech In Africa, @temiszn, Nairametrics and @iatalkspace


Despite nine years of music industry growth thanks to streaming, companies like Spotify and UMG are tightening payouts or laying off employees — After years of a streaming boom, record labels are searching for their next big win. — Last year was brutal for the media business …
Discussion:
Lucas Shaw on LinkedIn, @lucas_shaw, Digital Music News, CMU, Music Ally and Reuters, more at Techmeme »


A look at issues at The Messenger, including its reliance on a high-volume publishing strategy, as the outlet lays off staff and struggles to stay afloat — Jimmy Finkelstein had big dreams and a $50 million investment. Eight months after the Messenger's launch, it is laying off staff and struggling to stay afloat.
Discussion:
@ron_fournier, @amyargetsinger, @titivil, @mszafranski413, @rhondaneu, @jeffjarvis and @adammcginnis


Luminate: Hindi songs' share of the top 10K global tracks grew from 6.1% in 2022 to 7.8% in 2023; English fell from 62.1% to 54.9%, Spanish from 11.8% to 10.1% — Bollywood music and indie musicians — hip-hop artists especially — are fueling the Hindi music streaming phenomena
Discussion:
Luminate, Fast Company, @chartdata and Billboard


A profile of Blindboy, host and creator of the weekly Blindboy Podcast, which launched in 2017, covers a wide-range of subjects, and is fully listener-funded — He wears plastic bags as an ‘autistic protest’ and makes podcasts about everything from fish fingers to the Baileys sex cult.
Discussion:
@inahill, @senorastacy and @danieldylanwray


Nine names Tory Maguire, the current executive editor of SMH and The Age, as its Managing Director of Publishing, after James Chessell resigned in December — Tory Maguire has been appointed managing director of Nine's publishing division, which houses mastheads The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review.
Discussion:
Mumbrella


The Irish Sun appoints Deputy Editor Fiona Wynne as editor, replacing Kieran McDaid, meaning all three national editions of The Sun are now led by women — The appointment means each national edition of The Sun is edited by a woman. — Irish Sun deputy editor Fiona Wynne will replace Kieran McDaid …


Mirror Editor-in-Chief Alison Phillips plans to step down at the end of January after almost four years, succeeded by Reach Magazines EIC Caroline Waterston — Mirror editor-in-chief Alison Phillips will step down at the end of January after almost six years leading the brand.
Discussion:
Media Voices, The Guardian, @samcarlisle, @aaronbastani and MediaPost


WBD's HBO and Max won 31 awards at the 75th Emmy Awards, while Netflix won 22, FX 16, Apple TV+ 10, Disney+ nine, Amazon Prime Video six, and NBC five — This year, the conglomerate did not designate if a show was made for HBO proper or its streamer, Max, instead grouping its nominations under …
Discussion:
Billboard, The Guardian, Bloomberg, The Ringer, GoldDerby, The Wrap and The Playlist


OpenAI shares its plans ahead of 2024 elections, including image provenance tools, not letting users make tools for impersonation or political campaigning, more — We're working to prevent abuse, provide transparency on AI-generated content, and improve access to accurate voting information.