Top News:
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Source: the FBI investigated NYT reporter Elizabeth Williamson after she wrote about Kash Patel's use of FBI staff for his girlfriend's security — The bureau said it is not pursuing a case, but the scrutiny is an example of the Trump administration weighing whether to criminalize routine news gathering.
Discussion:
The Wrap, Mediaite, Charleston Daily Mail, GV Wire, @markharris.bsky.social, @scanlon.house.gov, Raw Story, The Independent, CNN, @serendipityinfl.bsky.social, @demsocialistguy.bsky.social, Raw Story, @evanrobertsondc.bsky.social, @freedom.press, @wessaidwords.bsky.social, @willsommer.bsky.social, @newsguy.bsky.social, @annmlipton.bsky.social, @froomkin.bsky.social, @qjurecic.bsky.social, Political Wire, @girlsreallyrule.bsky.social, @doncochraneyow.bsky.social, @markfollman.bsky.social, @joshsternberg.com, @marypcbuk.bsky.social, The Indian Express and New Republic
Joanna Stern / The New Things:
Joanna Stern, who has worked at WSJ, ABC, The Verge, and Engadget, launches New Things, her independent tech newsletter and YouTube channel — When I was cleaning out my attic a few weeks ago to make room for my new home video studio, I found a box. — Inside: an iPod with a click wheel.
Discussion:
@mreflow, @ernie.tedium.co, @krynsky, @ernie.tedium.co, @manton.org, @ernie.tedium.co, @joannastern and @joannastern@threads.com
Lucas Manfredi / The Wrap:
The FCC launches a review of TV Parental Guidelines, citing concerns that “gender identity issues are being included or promoted in children's programs” — The regulator is seeking public comment to ensure the ratings system is “empowering parents to make informed decisions for their children”
On Substack:
Substack adds translation tools, and says ~100K publishers earn on the platform, including ~30K outside the US; European creators earn $90M+/year collectively — Who changed your life today? Who stretched your way of seeing the universe? Who challenged you to think deeper about the culture around you …
Discussion:
@simonowens, @jtes, @nbaschez and @hamishmckenzie, more at Techmeme »
Brian Stelter / CNN:
WBD shareholders vote early Thursday on the Paramount deal, likely to be OK'ed; David Ellison will be in DC later for Paramount's event honoring the White House — Paramount's blockbuster acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN's parent company, is poised to clear a pivotal hurdle later this week.
Discussion:
HuffPost, Variety, TrekMovie.com, @brianstelter.bsky.social and The Hollywood Reporter
RELATED:
Inside Radio:
At the NAB show, sole Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez reiterates her call for broadcasters to challenge the agency's potential unconstitutional overreach — One year after Anna Gomez first denounced what she sees as government pressure on broadcasters to silence dissenting voices …
Discussion:
NewscastStudio
Michael Schneider / Variety:
Q&A with Katie Couric about her media company, the state of broadcast news, why “both sides” reporting will fail, media companies' “capitulation” to Trump, more — As her independent Katie Couric Media expands, the former “CBS Evening News” and “Today” …
Joe Flint / Wall Street Journal:
Filing: the NFL met with the FCC on Friday to defend the league's media rights strategy and said 87% of games are primarily aired for free on broadcast TV — League defends media-rights dealings as federal regulators investigate migration to streaming — As federal regulators scrutinize …
Claire Trageser / Axios:
InsideSD, a site run by city government, dominates Google's AI-powered search results about San Diego, making government views the only ones most will see — A city-run news site is gobbling up Google results for San Diego and pushing out traditional media links thanks to AI-powered search.
Discussion:
Search Engine Journal, PYMNTS.com, AdNews News, The Asahi Shimbun and Inc
Brian Steinberg / Variety:
MS NOW appoints Shawna Thomas, former executive producer of CBS Mornings, as political director to lead coverage of 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race — Shawna Thomas, a veteran journalist who has enjoyed stints as a Washington producer, news executive and a morning-show honcho …
Discussion:
Deadline, Adweek, The Wrap, @bristei.bsky.social, @newsguy.bsky.social, TV Insider, Los Angeles Times, Politico and Barrett Media
Dade Hayes / Deadline:
Nexstar CEO Perry Sook defends his Tegna bid, citing Brendan Carr's “break-glass moment” for TV finances, and says only 2 or 3 local TV companies will survive — “The idea that anyone, Nexstar included, would be a ‘broadcast behemoth’ - to me, that term is kind of an oxymoron …
Discussion:
Cord Cutters News, @nitishpahwa.com, @matthewkeyslive, @jeffzogg, Barrett Media, @matthewkeyslive, @dadehayes, @packrfan4, @jbflint and @jbflint
Dominic Patten / Deadline:
A NY state judge throws out Sean “Diddy” Combs' defamation suit against NBCUniversal for airing a documentary, Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy, in January 2025 — In fact, Empire State Supreme Court judge Phaedra F. Perry-Bond didn't just dismiss the action filed on February 25 …
Discussion:
New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Baller Alert, Rolling Out, Forbes and r/Fauxmoi
