Mediagazer: The EU Commission fines Apple €1.8B for stifling competition from rival music streaming services, the EU's third-largest antitrust fine; Apple plans to appeal (Javier Espinoza/Financial Times)

3:35 AM ET, March 5, 2024

Top News:

The EU Commission fines Apple €1.8B for stifling competition from rival music streaming services, the EU's third-largest antitrust fine; Apple plans to appeal — iPhone maker hit by first-ever Brussels fine as competition watchdogs step up scrutiny of Big Tech

Apple:

Apple says Spotify was the “primary advocate” and “biggest beneficiary” of the EU's ruling, Spotify pays Apple nothing, and that “free isn't enough for Spotify” — CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Today, the European Commission announced a decision claiming the App Store …

Laura Wagner / Washington Post:

The NewsGuild of New York accuses the NYT of targeting staff with Middle Eastern or North African backgrounds in a investigation into October 7 coverage leaks — In a letter to the publisher, a union leader said the leak probe has singled out employees ‘for their national origin, ethnicity and race’

Discussion: @maxwelltani, Semafor, @yehyabrown, @jeremymbarr, @willsommer, American Crisis, @nickatnews, @john_hudson, Media Nation, HuffPost, @dangillmor@mastodon.social, @estelle@techhub.social, Vanity Fair, The Wrap, The Intercept and Caitlin Johnstone

Lucas Shaw / Bloomberg:

While HBO hit streaming DTC profitability under David Zaslav, via licensing to Netflix, slashing marketing, layoffs, and more, WBD's stock is down 25%+ YTD — They chased Netflix and then they cut costs. Neither has worked. — Good afternoon from Las Vegas; I am here for The Netflix Slam …

Discussion: @lucas_shaw, Appleosophy, @lucas_shaw, @masasoncap, @lucas_shaw, @jalefkowit@octodon.social, @tvgrimreaper and Fox Business

Lucas Manfredi / The Wrap:
Warner Bros. Discovery plans to start cracking down on Max password sharing later this year with a wider rollout in 2025, joining rivals Netflix and Disney+

Discussion: Cord Cutters News, @culturecrave, Yahoo Finance, The Streamable, BGR, @thestreamable, Media Play News, @lucas_shaw, 9to5Mac, NewscastStudio, Next TV and @iamadequate_

Max Goldbart / Deadline:

Ofcom has “significant concerns about GB News' editorial control of its live output” after finding GB News in breach over Laurence Fox's misogynistic comments — Ofcom has said it has “significant concerns about GB News' editorial control of its live output” …

Discussion: Ofcom, Variety, @alistaircoleman, Advanced Television, The Guardian, @parody_pm, @drmatthewsweet, Mediaite, Broadband TV News, HuffPost, Financial Times and Press Gazette

Sophie Culpepper / Nieman Lab:

Report for America, the nonprofit that placed 600+ reporters in newsrooms since its 2017 launch, is “phasing out” partnerships with hedge fund-owned outlets — Since Report for America was founded in 2017, the nonprofit has placed more than 600 reporters in local newsrooms around the country …

Discussion: journal-isms.com and @ernie.tedium.co

Marty Swant / Digiday:

NewsGuard adds AI-assisted tools for early detection of election-related misinformation, with exclusion lists for advertisers that want to avoid such misinfo — NewsGuard, the news rating service, is adding more automation tools as it works to track misinformation efforts ahead of the 2024 elections.

Discussion: NewsGuard, Journalism.co.uk and @martyswant

Bron Maher / Press Gazette:

An interview with Mehdi Hasan about his new media company Zeteo, which he says has gained “thousands more” paid subscribers than expected in its first week — Hasan said focusing on subscribers, not advertisers, is “better for business”. — Mehdi Hasan has told Press Gazette …

Discussion: @matt_walsh, @ernie.tedium.co, Zeteo and The Hill

Bron Maher / Press Gazette:

Semafor launches a Global Election Hub; Ben Smith says the hub will feel like what Twitter “used to do well” as readers look for “human editorial judgment” — Editor Ben Smith said the hub could do something that Twitter “used to do well”.

Discussion: Semafor, @semaforben, @pressgazette and Semafor

Clara Aberneithie / Press Gazette:

An interview with ITN CEO Rachel Corp, who says the news cycle has become “absolutely relentless”, taking a toll on the mental health of journalists — Rachel Corp said the news cycle has become “absolutely relentless”, with a toll on the wellbeing of journalists.

K.J. Yossman / Variety:

Internal memo: incoming BBC Chair Samir Shah says safeguarding the BBC's independence and the corporation's finances are his top priorities — Incoming BBC chair Samir Shah has indicated the corporation's finances and independence are at the top of his priority list.

Discussion: @raypride, Hollywood Reporter, Deadline and Advanced Television

Financial Times:

Microsoft files a motion to dismiss The NYT's copyright lawsuit, accusing it of “doomsday futurology” for predicting that ChatGPT could ruin the news business — Tech group and OpenAI investor files motion to dismiss case alleging copyright infringement

Discussion: @carnage4life@mas.to, @asilbwrites, CoinGeek, @crumbler@threads.net, US Southern District of New York, CPO Magazine and New York Times, more at Techmeme »

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A look at Joe Biden's media diet, which includes MSNBC's Morning Joe, CNN, Fox News, the Financial Times, the Apple News app, and the rare book for leisure

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