Top News:
David Folkenflik / NPR:
Veteran VOA journalists sue Kari Lake and acting USAGM CEO Michael Rigas, alleging promotion of pro-Trump propaganda and violations of editorial independence — In the latest battle over the future of Voice of America, a fresh group of veteran Voice of America journalists …
Discussion:
Associated Press, Townhall, Washington Post, NewsMax.com, Reporters Without Borders, @scottnover, @gottalaff.bsky.social, The Wrap, @scottnover, @mattknight.bsky.social, Courthouse News Service, @frankamari.bsky.social, @davidfolkenflik.bsky.social, The Hill, All Rise News and Joe.My.God.
Erik Wemple / New York Times:
DOD says it'll move the press to an annex facility outside its main building, among other changes, after a judge found its current media policy unconstitutional — The Defense Department said on Monday that it was taking a new approach to limiting access to media organizations …
Max Tani / Semafor:
Sources: Vox Media approached media companies and investors in 2025 to explore selling its growing podcast business of 30+ shows, NYMag, or the whole company — The News — Last year, bankers for Vox Media approached media companies and investors with a series of offers.
Discussion:
@dinfontay.com, @chaykak, @bykatherineross, Podnews, @maxwelltani, @yoda, @simonowens.bsky.social, @bkoo and @johnspurlock
Jem Aswad / Variety:
Primary Wave Music plans to acquire Kobalt, one of the world's largest independent music publishing companies, from Francisco Partners, creating a ~$7B company — Primary Wave Music has announced a “definitive” agreement to acquire Kobalt, one of the world's largest independent music publishing …
Mark Gurman / Bloomberg:
Sources: Apple is preparing to introduce ads in its Maps app, allowing retailers and brands to bid for ad slots against search queries — Apple Inc. is preparing to introduce advertising in its Maps app, part of a broader push to generate more money from services.
Discussion:
Engadget, TechCrunch, Thurrott, Neowin, Macworld, MacRumors, Android Authority, Dexerto, Reuters, iPhone in Canada, Cult of Mac, @rani.bsky.social, Pocket-lint, 9to5Mac, @markgurman, The Mac Observer, Blockonomi, @pinboard, Digital Trends, The Verge, AppleInsider, Notebookcheck and MakeUseOf, more at Techmeme »
Foo Yun Chee / Reuters:
Canal+, ITV, Sky, and other broadcasters urge the EU to designate smart TV operating systems such as Android TV and Amazon Fire OS as gatekeepers under the DMA — Google (GOOGL.O), Amazon (AMZN.O), Apple (AAPL.O) and Samsung's (005930.KS) smart TVs and virtual assistants should fall under …
Discussion:
9to5Mac, Wall Street Journal, Irish Examiner, The Guardian, Advanced Television and Telecompaper, more at Techmeme »
Ted Johnson / Deadline:
Scott MacFarlane, who recently departed CBS News, says he is joining MeidasTouch as its chief Washington correspondent and will anchor a daily program — Scott MacFarlane, who recently departed CBS News, said on Monday that he's joining MeidasTouch Network, the digital media outlet that bills itself as a …
Jesse Whittock / Deadline:
Amazon MX Player rolls out Fatafat, a free, ad-supported, mobile-first platform offering serialized vertical videos, in India, as micro dramas gain momentum — Video — Amazon MX Player has launched a microdrama service, as a new report predicts huge growth for vertical video in India.
Discussion:
Fortune India, MediaNews4U and MediaBrief
Nate Raymond / Reuters:
SCOTUS declines to hear a citizen journalist's bid to overturn a ruling that Texas officials she accused of retaliation were protected by qualified immunity — The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear a bid by an online citizen journalist to revive her lawsuit accusing authorities …
Discussion:
Associated Press, SCOTUSblog, The Hill, NBC News, Courthouse News Service and NPR
Lily Ford / The Hollywood Reporter:
Gary Lineker's Goalhanger launches The Accelerator, a three-month creative business incubator giving digital creators up to £10K in investment and mentorship — The podcast production giant is set to give select digital creators £10,000 to scale up their careers and brand …
Discussion:
@simonowens, Andy Neilson on LinkedIn and Conor Galvin on LinkedIn
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
Scripps plans to launch Scripps Sports Network, a free, ad-supported streaming channel focused on live games and events along with original series, on March 24 — E.W. Scripps Co. will launch a new free, ad-supported streaming channel devoted to live games and events as well as original series and specials.
Discussion:
Deadline, Forbes, @tvgrimreaper, StreamTV Insider, TheDesk.net, Awful Announcing, TV Tech and Adweek
Suzanne Vranica / Wall Street Journal:
OpenAI hires Dave Dugan, a former top ad executive at Meta, to lead ad sales, reporting to COO Brad Lightcap; Dugan stepped down as a Meta VP earlier in March — The AI company seeks stronger ties with brands to boost its nascent ad business — OpenAI has hired Dave Dugan …
