Top News:
New York Times:
Media Matters sues the FTC, saying its inquiry into advertiser boycotts of X is part of a “campaign of retribution” by the Trump administration and Elon Musk — The liberal advocacy organization said in a lawsuit that the Federal Trade Commission's inquiry into boycotts with other advertising groups was “retribution.”
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Jody Godoy / Reuters:
The FTC approves Omnicom's $13.5B acquisition of rival Interpublic on the condition that the new company does not boycott platforms over political content — Omnicom's (OMC.N) $13.5 billion acquisition of rival Interpublic (IPG.N) can move forward on the condition that the new company does …
Discussion:
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Lauren Wolfe / Committee to Protect Journalists:
Russia frees Ukrainian journalist Vladislav Yesypenko, detained since March 2021, and Belarus frees Belarusian journalist Ihar Karnei, detained since July 2023 — The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release of Ukrainian journalist Vladislav Yesypenko and Belarusian journalist Ihar Karnei …
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Radio Free Europe/Radio …, The Kyiv Independent, Radio Free Europe/Radio …, @rferl, @tsihanouskaya, @janlipavsky, Associated Press, @stevecapus, @denizyuksel130, Novaya Gazeta Europe, @rferlpress, CBS News, The Crimean Human Rights Group, @andrii_sybiha, @stevecapus, @hannaliubakova.bsky.social, @kyivindependent.com, @stevecapus, PEN America, @davidfolkenflik, @rferlpress, @alsukurmasheva, @alsukurmasheva, Radio Free Europe/Radio … and Reporters Without Borders
Ben Smith / Semafor:
Steve Bannon launches a fierce public challenge against Fox News for its pro-war stance on Iran, accusing it of propaganda and calling for a FARA investigation — A key force in the populist MAGA media, former Trump campaign chief and White House aide Steve Bannon, has turned his opposition …
Sahil Patel / The Information:
Sources: Google reduces its Google TV and Android TV budget by 10% and cuts Android TV and Google TV's ~300 employees by up to 25%, as it focuses on YouTube — Google has cut its smart TV budget and trimmed its team—marking the most concrete signs yet of the company's waning interest competing …
Najat Kantouar / Wall Street Journal:
Axel Springer wants to double its value by 2030 through AI, long-term relationships with readers, and reducing reliance on search engines and social media — The company intends to reduce its reliance on search engines and social media — Axel Springer said it plans to double …
Discussion:
@jeffjarvis.bsky.social, MediaPost and Reuters
Committee to Protect Journalists:
Azerbaijan gives eight journalists prison sentences ranging from 7.5 to 15 years, as part of a series of media trials set to obliterate independent reporting — Eight Azerbaijani journalists have received prison sentences ranging from 7 ½ to 15 years, as part of an ongoing series …
Decca Muldowney / The Verge:
How online fandom communities are advocating against AI, including protesting companies scraping fanfic content for AI training and opposing AI-generated fanfic — ‘It is a gift. They stole it without my permission.’ … In the online world of fanfiction writers, who pen stories inspired …
Discussion:
@proggrrl.bsky.social and Gizmodo
Matt Smith / Press Gazette:
Politics Joe puts its video podcasts behind a Patreon paywall, citing YouTube's revenue model limitations, and has 400+ subscribers five days after launch — Five days after launch brand attracts 400 paying subscribers on Patreon. — Politics Joe has put its video podcasts behind a paywall …
Ted Johnson / Deadline:
Filing: CBS calls Trump's 60 Minutes lawsuit against the network “meritless” and an attempt to “evade bedrock First Amendment principles” — As settlement talks continue between the legal teams of Paramount Global and Donald Trump, CBS once again characterized …
Discussion:
The Wrap, @tdogmedia.bsky.social, Variety and TVNewsCheck
Rick Porter / The Hollywood Reporter:
Disney names Jilly Pearce as head of unscripted programming for ABC and Hulu; Pearce was previously the president of Objective Media Group America — The executive was most recently president of Objective Media Group America. — Disney is filling a key executive post in its unscripted division.
Discussion:
TVNewsCheck, C21Media and Deadline
Melissa Korn / Wall Street Journal:
News Corp extends CEO Robert Thomson's contract through June 2030, as it faces AI headwinds; Thomson joined in 2013 and his previous deal ran through June 2027 — Thomson has pursued digital growth and focused the company on core areas of news, book publishing and digital real estate
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