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Thursday, April 18, 2019
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Newsonomics: Bryan Goldberg wants to build Bustle into the “Meredith of the digital age”“I think the hard part for something like Esquire or Harper’s Bazaar in digital — even to some extent Vogue — is that you get into the scale game. Digital demands greater scale. I just don’t know how many men are trying to figure out if corduroy is back in fashion.” By Ken Doctor. |
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Newsonomics: The newspaper industry is thirsty for liquidity as it tries to merge its way out of troubleNewspaper company CEOs will be the first to tell you a new round of consolidation won’t solve their problems. But it might give them another year or two of breathing room. By Ken Doctor. |
What We’re Reading
MuckRock / Michael Morisy
MuckRock wants you to help read through the Mueller Report →
“Getting started is easy: Just go to the Assignment page and answer the questions that are presented along with the page you're shown. You can answer as many or as few as you'd like, and we'll review and compile the data you submit to total up the most important insights.”
Twitter / Kurt Wagner
The passwords of “millions of Instagram users” were stored unencrypted, Facebook admits →
Facebook updated their post from last month the same day the Mueller report came out.
Washington Post / Sarah Ellison
The National Enquirer is being sold for $100 million to the CEO of airport newsstands Hudson News →
“The decision to sell came after Anthony Melchiorre, the hedge fund manager whose firm controls AMI, became disillusioned with the reporting tactics of the Enquirer, which is overseen by David Pecker, Trump's confidant dating back many years. AMI has been under intense pressure because of the Enquirer's efforts to tilt the 2016 presidential election in favor of Trump.”
Digiday / Max Willens
Apple is looking to beef up its staff for Apple News(+) →
“The listings, some of which Apple has been trying to fill for a while, would give Apple resources to forge strategic marketing partnerships with platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat; a point person to lead collaborative marketing campaigns with publishers participating in Apple News; and a leader who can work across Apple's marketing, product, engineering, data analytics, design and business development teams.”
Time / Hillary Leung
For the first time, the U.S.’s media climate is “problematic” in the World Press Freedom Index →
“The U.S., Venezuela, Brazil, Iran and China saw their rankings drop. Of those five, China — which a separate report by RSF said is ramping up its interference and spread of propaganda not just locally, but in international media — is ranked lowest at 177… On the flip side, Ethiopia has climbed 40 places from near the bottom to 110.”
Poynter / Daniel Funke
Why fact-checkers couldn’t contain misinformation about the Notre Dame fire →
“Ground zero for that battle is Twitter.”
The Atlantic / Taylor Lorenz
Digital media unionization comes to Instagram memers →
“They generate the engagement that helps keep Instagram growing—but, they argue, the multibillion-dollar platform doesn't pay them for their work, or give them any control. So they're fighting back. And before you write off IG Meme Union Local 69-420 as a joke, the organizers of the collective would like you to know that they are very serious… ‘Seize the memes of production.'”
The Guardian / Alex Hern
Facebook permanently bans far-right groups under its “dangerous individuals and organizations” policy →
“The ban, which came into effect at midday on Thursday, extends beyond the groups and individuals specifically cited as hate organizations: posts and other content that ‘expresses praise or support’ for them will also be banned, as will users who coordinate support for the groups.”
BuzzFeed News / Karsten Schmehl
WhatsApp has become a hotbed for spreading Nazi propoganda in Germany →
“BuzzFeed News has catalogued more than 200 different WhatsApp stickers that show inciting, violent, or anti-Semitic content. Some stickers show symbols prohibited by German law, including SS runes, the SS insignia, certain flags and swastikas.”
Axios / Sara Fischer
Facebook adds two new fact-checking partners — including one owned by The Daily Caller, Inc. →
“CheckYourFact.com arguably leans right, as it’s a for-profit subsidiary owned by The Daily Caller, Inc., although editorially independent. Science Feedback fact-checks news and information primarily based on whether it is rooted in science.”