Top News:
The Wrap:
VOA Director Michael Abramowitz condemns its shutdown, saying Trump is “failing to protect US interests”; others say shutting VOA is a “national security issue” — The news organization's director Michael Abramowitz says the president is “failing to protect U.S. interests”
Discussion:
The Moscow Times, CBS News, Adweek, Inside Radio, TVNewsCheck, New York Daily News, Committee to Protect … and Business Insider
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Washington Post:
The USAGM has severed contracts for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, in addition to the VOA cuts
Discussion:
IndieWire, Nieman Lab, New York Times, CNN, The Guardian, @brianstelter, Washington Examiner, @w7voa, @brianstelter, Regina Phelps on LinkedIn, The NewsGuild, ARTnews, Blaze Media, @arleenb.bsky.social, RedState, The Independent, New York Post, The National Interest, Reason, Sam Kessler on LinkedIn, Timothy McDonald on LinkedIn, Poynter, Reuters, @brianstelter, @brianstelter, @brianstelter, @brianstelter, Broadband TV News, BBC, @ewong, @repdonbacon, @chrisgreenwayuk, @thomasvlinge, @malinowski, @pressfreedom, @atrupar, @malinowski, @stevecapus, @chriso_wiki, @ZekuZelalem@dair …, @mimarek@universeodon.com, @rferlpress, Vanity Fair, Radio Free Europe/Radio …, Reason, Axios, Al Jazeera, The Gateway Pundit, Washington …, Associated Press, Politico, Reuters, Raw Story, Hong Kong Free Press HKFP and The Japan Times
David Enrich / New York Times:
After Trump dismantled the USAGM, VOA employees say some of its radio frequencies in Asia, the Middle East, and elsewhere went dark or began airing only music
Discussion:
ABC News, CNN, New York Daily News, @chronotope.aramzs.xyz, ABC, lowyinstitute.org, New York Post, Washington Post, NBC4 Washington, @sleavenworth.bsky.social, PR Daily, Janice Fischer on LinkedIn, The Hill, Agence France-Presse, DNyuz, @paulthedogman.bsky.social, @gr8fash89.bsky.social, @acabcalloway.bsky.social, @kyra_davis@mstdn.social, @charvaka@hivemind.plus, WNYW-TV, Fox News and The White House
Nicole Sperling / New York Times:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says Conan O'Brien will reprise his Oscar hosting duties in 2026, one of the earliest renewals for an Oscar host — Mr. O'Brien received high marks for his work as the emcee of the 97th Oscar telecast this month. It was his first time hosting the show.
Discussion:
Cele|bitchy, Associated Press, Daily Mail, @danprimack, The Daily Wire, Reuters, FemaleFirst, LateNighter, UPI, Vanity Fair, Media Play News, TV Insider, Comic Book, IndieWire, Adweek, Entertainment Weekly, People, Billboard, GoldDerby, Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, ABC7, TVLine, NPR, New York Daily News, Just Jared and New York Post
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Clayton Davis / Variety:
The Oscars and Golden Globes announcing their hosts and dates early helps awards season by letting studios plan their releases and may boost audience engagement — The Oscars announced their new date this morning, along with the news that that show is bringing back Conan O'Brien as host …
Kurt Schlosser / GeekWire:
Trump praises Jeff Bezos for changes at the WaPo, saying he doesn't think the media's treatment of him has changed so far, but he sees a shift among tech giants — The recent changes Jeff Bezos has instituted at The Washington Post have captured the attention of President Donald Trump, who praised the newspaper owner's efforts.
Discussion:
YouTube, Mother Jones, Benzinga, HuffPost, @brianstelter, The Wrap, Daily Kos, Fox News, The Hill and Semafor
Steven J. Horowitz / Variety:
UMG files a motion to dismiss Drake's lawsuit, says he's suing because he “lost a rap battle” with Kendrick Lamar and took legal action to “salve his wounds” — The motion, filed earlier today and reviewed by Variety, took a cutting approach to making the case for dismissal …
Discussion:
Cele|bitchy, Music Ally, FemaleFirst, Music Business Worldwide, thesource.com, @brotigupta, The Root, DNyuz, People, Digital Music News, @vexwerewolf.bsky.social, UPROXX, The Wrap, The Hollywood Reporter, Vibe, Reuters, @phillewis.bsky.social, TMZ.com, Billboard, Consequence, Rolling Stone, Oh No They Didn't!, Fox News, Bossip and Lawyer Monthly
Caitlin Huston / The Hollywood Reporter:
Audacy names Kelli Turner, who has been interim CEO since the end of January, as president and CEO, and overhauls its leadership team — Chris Oliviero has been named chief business officer and Bob Philips has been named chief revenue officer. … Additionally, Chris Oliviero …
Discussion:
Philadelphia Business Journal, RADIO ONLINE, The Desk, Radio & Television …, Billboard, Inside Radio and Radio Ink
Todd Spangler / Variety:
In an open letter to the OSTP, Ben Stiller and 400+ Hollywood creatives urge President Trump to not let Google, OpenAI, and others “exploit” copyrighted works — More than 400 Hollywood creative leaders signed an open letter to the Trump White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy …
Discussion:
Axios, Music Ally, Deadline, Daily Mail, MediaPost, TheStreet, The Wrap, CBS News, IndieWire, Fast Company, Animation Magazine and Futurism, more at Techmeme »
Ben Smith / Semafor:
How Breitbart became “legacy” MAGA media, as Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow says the outlet is “trying to be the historical record of the Trump administration” — A sense of responsibility weighs heavily these days on Breitbart News. Washington Bureau Chief Matt Boyle …
Discussion:
Poynter and @pinemikey.bsky.social
Scharon Harding / Ars Technica:
Some owners of devices running Roku OS report seeing autoplaying video ads before they can access the home screen; Roku says it is just a test — Now, Roku is testing what it might look like if it took things a step further and forced people to watch a video ad play before getting to the Roku OS home screen.
Alex Ritman / Variety:
Village Roadshow files for bankruptcy protection in the US, amid a long-drawn-out and expensive legal battle with WB over The Matrix Resurrections — Village Roadshow Entertainment Group, the film producer and financier that has backed “The Matrix,” “Ocean's Eleven,” “Joker” and “The Lego Movie” …
Discussion:
@eriqgardner, Los Angeles Times, Deadline and The Wrap
New York Times:
Sources: The New Yorker has cut ties with its art critic, Jackson Arn, who joined in 2023, after complaints about his behavior at its centennial celebration — The magazine received concerns about the writer's conduct at its centennial celebration at a star-studded party in Manhattan.
Reuters:
Tencent Music reports Q4 revenue up 8.2% YoY to ~$1.03B, above ~$1.01B est., social entertainment services revenue down 13% to ~$225M, and net profit up 47.3% — Tencent Music Entertainment (1698.HK) topped analysts' estimates for quarterly revenue on Tuesday with its second straight quarter …
Discussion:
Tencent Music
Charlotte Tobitt / Press Gazette:
The Telegraph apologizes and pays “substantial” damages to tech entrepreneur Zia Chishti over sexual misconduct allegations in articles between 2021 and 2023 — Telegraph Media Group has apologised and paid “substantial” damages in a libel settlement with tech entrepreneur Zia Chishti.
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