An experiment where writers had access to GPT-4 for short story ideas finds it boosted creativity for some but reduced the collective diversity of novel content (Devin Coldewey/TechCrunch)

Mediagazer: An experiment where writers had access to GPT-4 for short story ideas finds it boosted creativity for some but reduced the collective diversity of novel content (Devin Coldewey/TechCrunch)

Top News:

Axios:

Meta says it will soon roll back restrictions on Donald Trump's Instagram and Facebook accounts to ensure parity among candidates ahead of the 2024 election— - While those penalties were designed to limit any public figure's accounts during civil unrest, Donald Trump's accounts …
Discussion: Meta, The Verge, Mother Jones, Breitbart, @davidclinchnews, @jhglick, @bostonjoan, @mcbc, Washington Post, The Hollywood Reporter, The Hill, Financial Times, Mediaite, National Review, Washington Post, Forbes, New York Times, NBC News, CNBC, Reuters, Rolling Stone, New York Post, Engadget, TechCrunch, @WarnerCrocker@mastodon.social, The Guardian, Raw Story, CBS News, Deadline, @KimPerales@toad.social, CNN and Bloomberg, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Nick Clegg /
Meta: Ending Suspension of Trump's Accounts With New Guardrails to Deter Repeat Offenses

Jackie Flynn Mogensen /
Mother Jones: Meta Just Removed the Guardrails From Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram Accounts

Alana Mastrangelo /
Breitbart: Mark Zuckerberg's Meta Removes Restrictions on Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram Accounts

David Clinch /
@davidclinchnews: Parity of access is not the same as parity in adhering to the platform rules

Jacob Glick /
@jhglick: The evidence we collected on the Select Committee showed how companies like @Meta turned a blind eye while Trump used their platforms to incite violence, spread disinformation, and radicalize thousands to storm the Capitol. Now, they are giving him free rein to do it all again. @bostonjoan: ...And here we see the limits of technopolitical governance. Private companies in control of communication platforms do not treat all users the same. Instead, ad hac (sic lol) decisions are made to influence the appearance of “fairness and transparency” when none was ever there. @mcbc: Old enough to remember three days ago, Trump threatened Mark Zuckerberg with jail because he believes (and has for sometime) that Mark “Zuckerbucks” pays immigrants to vote in elections. This happened. And now, Facebook is like screw it let Trump cook.

Hilary Lewis /
The Hollywood Reporter: Meta Lifts Trump's Remaining Facebook and Instagram Restrictions Ahead of GOP Convention

Julia Shapero /
The Hill: Meta lifts Trump's remaining account guardrails

Hannah Murphy /
Financial Times: Meta lifts restrictions on Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts

Phillip Nieto /
Mediaite: Meta Removes All Restrictions on Trump's Account After Former President Threatens Zuckerberg with Prison

Brittany Bernstein /
National Review: Meta Removes ‘Civil Unrest’ Restrictions on Trump's Facebook, Instagram Accounts

Antonio Pequeño IV /
Forbes: Instagram And Facebook Dropping Trump Restrictions As Election Looms

Mike Isaac /
New York Times: Meta Rolls Back Restrictions on Trump's Instagram and Facebook Accounts

David Ingram /
NBC News: Meta removes ‘civil unrest’ restrictions on Trump accounts dating to Jan. 6 fallout

Jonathan Vanian /
CNBC: Meta lifts Trump's Facebook and Instagram restrictions ahead of election

Daniel Kreps /
Rolling Stone: Meta Lifts ‘Heightened Suspension Penalties’ From Donald Trump's Accounts Ahead of RNC

Victor Nava /
New York Post: Meta rolls back restrictions to Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts

Danny Gallagher /
Engadget: Meta rolls back restrictions on Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts

Maxwell Zeff /
TechCrunch: Meta removes special restrictions for Trump's account ahead of 2024 elections

Warner Crocker /
@WarnerCrocker@mastodon.social: Guess those Trump threats to throw “Zuckerbucks” in jail worked. — Exclusive: Meta removes Trump account restrictions ahead of 2024 election — #politics — https://www.axios.com/... [image]

Daniel Hampton /
Raw Story: ‘So the despotic threats worked?’: Outrage as Facebook lifts limits on Trump's accounts

Faris Tanyos /
CBS News: Meta ends restrictions on Trump's Facebook, Instagram accounts ahead of GOP convention

Ted Johnson /
Deadline: Meta Removes “Heightened Suspension Penalties” From Donald Trump's Facebook And Instagram Accounts

Kim Perales /
@KimPerales@toad.social: #Zuck is a danger to #democracy & America, by propping up the #felon. — Meta on Fri said it'd soon roll back restrictions it placed on #TFGs IG & FB acts. — The co said it was making the change to ensure parity among presidential candidates leading up to the 2024 election. …

Samantha Delouya /
CNN: Meta is lifting restrictions on Trump's accounts

Associated Press:

A judge dismisses Alec Baldwin's manslaughter case in the fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, after ruling prosecutors withheld evidence— A New Mexico judge threw out the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin in the middle of his trial and said it cannot be filed again.

Discussion: LinkedIn,
NBC News, The Wrap, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, CBS News, Associated Press, Fox News, TMZ.com, Page Six, New York Post, Boing Boing, Dexerto, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Deadline, Raw Story, NBC News, NPR, The Hollywood Reporter, Washington Post, Deadline, IndieWire, Rolling Stone, Reuters, Variety, TVLine, New York Daily News, Los Angeles Times, The Daily Beast, The Sun, WHDH-TV, CNBC and Breitbart

Discussion:

Chloe Melas /
NBC News: Lawyer for Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will seek to have her case dismissed after Alec Baldwin trial falls apart

Stephanie Kaloi /
The Wrap: Alec Baldwin Comments on ‘Rust’ Shooting Trial's Dismissal: ‘There Are Too Many People to Thank’

Meg James /
Los Angeles Times: Behind the spectacular collapse of the Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ shooting prosecution

Julia Jacobs /
New York Times: Alec Baldwin Manslaughter Trial in ‘Rust’ Shooting Dismissed Over Evidence CBS News: Attorney of “Rust” cinematographer's family says Alec Baldwin case dismissal “strengthens our resolve to pursue justice” Fox News: Alec Baldwin thanks fans for their ongoing support one day after dismissal of ‘Rust’ shooting trial

Sara Whitman /
Page Six: Alec Baldwin thanks fans for their support after trial dismissal: ‘I appreciate your kindness’

Olivia Land /
New York Post: Halyna Hutchins' widower ‘respects’ Alec Baldwin trial reversal but still wants actor held ‘accountable for his actions’: lawyer

Rob Beschizza /
Boing Boing: Judge dismisses manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin

Jessica Cullen /
Dexerto: Rust manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin dismissed over “concealed” evidence

Itzel Luna /
Wall Street Journal: Judge Dismisses Involuntary Manslaughter Charge Against Alec Baldwin Prosecutor Michael M Rubbinaccio / LinkedIn: In an extremely unusual ruling, the judge dismissed this case, based on fact that a few rounds given to the state, that looked like dummy rounds found on the set …

Antonio Pequeño IV /
Forbes: Alec Baldwin's Manslaughter Charge Dismissed By Judge

Dominic Patten /
Deadline: Halyna Hutchins' Widower Vows To Take Alec Baldwin Back To Court Over Fatal Shooting Of ‘Rust’ Cinematographer

Daniel Hampton /
Raw Story: Watch: Alec Baldwin cries as shooting case tossed for good

Samantha Chery /
Washington Post: Judge dismisses Alec Baldwin's ‘Rust’ case

Dominic Patten /
Deadline: Alec Baldwin's ‘Rust’ Trial Tossed Out Over “Critical” Bullet Evidence; Incarcerated Armorer Could Be Released Too

Brian Welk /
IndieWire: Alec Baldwin's ‘Rust’ Case Dismissed by Judge After Defense Claimed Evidence Was Withheld

Nancy Dillon /
Rolling Stone: Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ Manslaughter Case Dismissed, Actor Breaks Down in Tears

Gene Maddaus /
Variety: Alec Baldwin's ‘Rust’ Case Dismissed After Surprise Bullets Revealed in Court

Rebecca Iannucci /
TVLine: Alec Baldwin Rust Manslaughter Case Dismissed After Judge Rules Prosecutors Withheld Key Evidence

Evan Rosen /
New York Daily News: Alec Baldwin seen out with documentary crew following ‘Rust’ dismissal

Meg James /
Los Angeles Times: Judge dismisses Alec Baldwin involuntary manslaughter case for ‘Rust’ shooting

Owen Lavine /
The Daily Beast: Alec Baldwin in Tears as Judge Dismisses ‘Rust’ Involuntary Manslaughter Case

Callie Patteson /
The Sun: Alec Baldwin breaks down at Rust trial and clings to his wife as judge considers dismissing case over ‘hidden evidence’

Dakota Antelman /
WHDH-TV: Alec Baldwin trial on hold as judge considers defense request to dismiss case over disputed ammo

Dan Mangan /
CNBC: Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ manslaughter case dismissed by judge

The Charlotte Ledger:

McClatchy's Charlotte Observer is scaling back print editions to three days a week starting September 16, down from six days, and will rely on USPS for delivery— News organization will deliver newspaper by U.S. mail on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays; a ‘bold step’ toward embracing digital, editor says

Discussion:
Anchorage Daily News, @gjmccarthy, @packtimpeeler, @ahrensf, @randycapps, @sportsmatters, @mikeorren, @phgukpol, @will_doran, @allybfraz, @warrenbingham, @bentnews, @tommytomlinson, @ncdavidmenconi, @smalljones, @johnrobinson, @sr.rogelio.a@threads.net, The Charlotte Observer

Discussion:
Anchorage Daily News: Anchorage Daily News will reduce print to 2 days a week, continue emphasis on digital growth

Gerry McCarthy /
@gjmccarthy: Holy crap this is huge. I'm assuming more large metros will follow suit.

Tim Peeler /
@packtimpeeler: Holy crap. 3 times a week? The newspapers of my youth: The Lincoln Times-News, the Hickory Daily Record, the Cherryville Eagle and the Charlotte Observer.

Frank Ahrens /
@ahrensf: Wow. This was one of the great regional papers young journalists aspired to. Won several Pulitzers, not that that seems to matter for readership or circulation.

Randy Capps /
@randycapps: Many more will fall. But wow.

Brian /
@sportsmatters: So many thoughts, so few available characters. Glad I had a big number of bylines there. Different world now, however.

Mike Orren /
@mikeorren: We're going to see a lot of this in the coming months. The rare holdouts will be those who own their presses, meaning the overhead makes it worth printing daily until they go to zero.

Phillip Gilfus /
@phgukpol: @will_doran My parents (and I) have made the transition to online local in Fay (CityView). Obviously still need a workable business model for it, but that may be the evolution for metros.

Will Doran /
@will_doran: I spent a decade in the newspaper industry and would expect most papers to go this route (many already have) in the next few years. They'll still be putting out new reporting every day online—physical papers will just now be used to highlight the best investigations, photos, etc

Ally /
@allybfraz: Watching the slow death of what was The Newspaper in one of the biggest cities in North Carolina has been so painful. Y'all do realize this is absolutely mad, right?

Warren Bingham /
@warrenbingham: @kbphotos Obviously, print versions and perhaps digital versions of all of the old school newspapers are going to disappear entirely. 😢

Warren Bingham /
@warrenbingham: Gollygeewow! As one who grew up reading the Observer and the afternoon Charlotte News in their heyday, this is really tough news for this old Boomer.

Ben Thompson /
@bentnews: After 138 years in business, Charlotte Observer announces it's cutting publication to 3 days a week (Wed, Fri, Sun). Digital content will continue 7 days a week. Statement says paper is still hiring journalists. #CLT https://www.charlotteobserver.com/ ...

Tommy Tomlinson /
@tommytomlinson: Inevitable, and probably should've happened sooner, but still... a long tradition, broken.

David Menconi /
@ncdavidmenconi: @tommytomlinson Also: Delivered by the US Postal Service? Hmm... [image]

David Menconi /
@ncdavidmenconi: @johnrobinson @newsobserver It's going to come with the mail now? Not great for those of us whose mail arrives late in the day. [image]

John Robinson /
@johnrobinson: This is seismic for NC papers. Is the @newsobserver next?

Rogelio /
@sr.rogelio.a@threads.net: The newspaper box in my office is a salute to my 25+ years in newspapers, and a reminder of when my Papi & I would bicker over who would plunk the quarter (or two) into the box for a paper. Fast forward a few decades, and the place where I grew up as a journalist is cutting back on its printed product. …

Rogelio /
@sr.rogelio.a@threads.net: The work of old colleagues and those who came after I left continues. Regardless of where you live, keep in mind the good work of true journalists as we all slog toward November. Be informed.

Reuters:

The Sixth Circuit US Court of Appeals puts the FCC's reinstatement of net neutrality rules on hold until August 5 as it considers industry legal challenges— A U.S. appeals on Friday said it was temporarily putting the Federal Communications Commission's reinstatement of landmark net neutrality rules …

Discussion:
Bloomberg Law, Broadband Breakfast, Axios, MediaPost and Techdirt

Discussion:

Ted Hearn /
Broadband Breakfast: Federal Appeals Court Temporarily Blocks FCC's Net Neutrality Rules

Maria Curi /
Axios: FCC's net neutrality rules temporarily blocked

Wendy Davis /
MediaPost: Federal Court Blocks Net Neutrality Rules

Wired:

A look at MetaFilter, which turns 25 on July 14; owner Jessamyn West, who helped stabilize it after its near death, doesn't plan to license its archives to AI— After a quarter century the community-driven site hasn't changed much. And don't ask it to license its archive to AI.

Discussion:
Initiative for Digital …, @stevenlevy and @jessamyn@glammr.us, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:
Initiative for Digital Public Infrastructure …: 104. MetaFilter turns 25 this month, a shining beacon of the Good Web. Reluctant owner Jessamyn West tells us how rusty tech and vibrant community keeps it vital.

Steven Levy /
@stevenlevy: Visiting @metafilter is like stumbling on an internet Brigadoon, before manipulative algorithms and pivots to video. Happy 25th! https://www.wired.com/...

Jessamyn /
@jessamyn@glammr.us: “MetaFilter turns 25 this month, a shining beacon of the Good Web. Reluctant owner Jessamyn West tells us how rusty tech and vibrant community keeps it vital.” — MeFi's b'day is Sunday. I haven't been there all that time but I have been lately. …

Poynter:

Poynter's PolitiFact will share its fact-checking reporting and research with PBS News across TV and digital platforms through the 2024 election cycle— Poynter's PolitiFact will share its fact-checking reporting with PBS on television, digital platforms during election season, including conventions

TechCrunch:

An experiment where writers had access to GPT-4 for short story ideas finds it boosted creativity for some but reduced the collective diversity of novel content— A new study examines whether AI could be an automated helpmeet in creative tasks, with mixed results: it appeared …

Discussion:
Science, MIT Technology Review, The Guardian, Decrypt and NPR, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:
Science: Generative AI enhances individual creativity but reduces the collective diversity of novel content

Rhiannon Williams /
MIT Technology Review: AI can make you more creative—but it has limits

Nicola Davis /
The Guardian: AI prompts can boost writers' creativity but result in similar stories, study finds

Jose Antonio Lanz /
Decrypt: Generative AI Helps Creativity But Hurts Originality, Study Says

Geoff Brumfiel /
NPR: Research shows AI can boost creativity for some, but at a cost

Ars Technica:

A House committee report claims the Global Alliance for Responsible Media colluded to cut Twitter revenue after Musk's acquisition; GARM guidance is non-binding— Congress accused advertisers group of colluding to tank X's revenue. — After the House of Representatives Committee …

Discussion:

Javier Espinoza /
Financial Times: EU accuses Elon Musk's X of deceptive practices over blue ‘checkmark’

Kevin Carson /
@KevinCarson1@kolektiva.social: “Hopefully, some states will consider criminal prosecution,” Musk wrote, suggesting he wants it to be illegal for brands to refuse to advertise on X. — My Free Speech Absolutist t-shirt is raising a lot of questions already answered by my Free Speech Absolutist t-shirt. — https://arstechnica.com/...

Eric Owens /
@ericowensdc: Elon Musk is asking government to imprison advertisers who choose not to advertise on Twitter, and people who urge advertisers not to advertise on Twitter. Amazing.

Kate Rouch /
@kate_rouch: It's not just the platforms like X or the Daily Wire that face these kinds of subjective rules. Companies - including Coinbase - can struggle to get their paid messages out via mainstream media unaltered.

Ron Kampeas /
@kampeas: No one owes you ads, @elonmusk.

Mike Masnick /
Techdirt: Elon Says ExTwitter Will Sue The Group ExTwitter ‘Excitedly’ Joined Just Last Week @juergen_hubert@thefolklore.cafe: Elon Musk is up to his usual bullshit again. — Though to be honest, given the state of the American judiciary, I am worried that this might actually be successful. — https://arstechnica.com/...

Bruce Mirken /
@BruceMirken@mas.to: “Free speech absolutist” #ElonMusk wants to prosecute those who use their free speech rights to urge a boycott of his Nazi bar. #Twitter — https://arstechnica.com/...

Dan Gillmor /
@dangillmor@mastodon.social: Musk is inviting his red-state pals to prosecute people who dare advise advertisers to stay away from his toxic swamp. — https://arstechnica.com/... This is what right-wing extremists like Musk actually think about free speech. (They hate it when it's directed, unfavorably, at them.) …

Bret Carmichael /
@bretcarmichael@mastodon.social: #Musk's businesses have long benefited from government subsidies. He now wants government to mandate that other businesses pay subsidies to his #Twitter / #X. Musk said of boycotting advertisers, “Hopefully, some states will consider criminal prosecution.” …

Steven Nelson /
New York Post: Bombshell report details how a little-known corporate cartel targets outlets — including The Post — claimed to be spreading ‘misinformation’

RELATED:

Bloomberg:
After X hyped shows with Paris Hilton, Tucker Carlson, and others in January 2024, the deals have fizzled, a source says due to a lack of advertiser interest

Discussion:

Ian Elliott /
@thatianeliott.bsky.social: I don't often share stuff from Bloomberg, but this is too funny to pass up. [embedded post]

Jeff Stoller /
@jjstoller.bsky.social: This reminds me, I don't think I've seen or heard anything at all about Tucker White Nationalism Carlson since maybe his Aaron Rodgers interview(?), even over on the bird site. Dude is completely off the map and irrelevant. [embedded post]

Ian Betteridge /
@ianb@mastodon.well.com: What do we think Musk can fail at next? — https://www.bloomberg.com/...

Dare Obasanjo /
@carnage4life@mas.to: In the least surprising news of the year category, plans to create hit TV-style shows on X featuring celebrities like Tucker Carlson and Paris Hilton has hit a snag; no advertisers are interested in sponsoring the shows. — Shocking, I know. — https://www.bloomberg.com/...

Nails Nathan /
@chadstanton.bsky.social: Launching a show hinging on Paris Hilton 's star power in 2024 is just an incredibly bad read of the moment. [embedded post]

Braak /
@braak.bsky.social: Don't worry Musk has a solution to this it's called “Put companies in jail until they agree to advertise on Paris Hilton's Twitter tv show” [embedded post]

Rudeboy Tomjanovich /
@aceanbender.com: lmaoooooooo seeing this after seeing the headline that elon wants to sue companies that boycott advertising on twitter made my morning [embedded post]

Chris Dobbertean /
@chrisdobbertean.net: LOL. No wonder Elno is threatening advertisers. [embedded post]

TechCrunch:

Three US senators introduce the COPIED Act, which aims to give journalists, songwriters, and artists tools to fight AI models using their work without consent— A bipartisan group of senators has introduced a new bill that seeks to protect artists, songwriters, and journalists from having …

Discussion:
Senate Of The United States: Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act @public_citizen: Everyone has a right to know when they're seeing, hearing or engaging with AI-generated content. The COPIED Act would combat the rise of harmful deepfakes, setting crucial guidelines to protect journalists, actors, & artists against AI-driven theft & hold violators accountable.

Marty Swant /
@martyswant: Yesterday, @SenatorCantwell, @MarshaBlackburn and @SenatorHeinrich introduced the COPIED Act that would create new federal transparency standards for generative AI. Here's my @Digiday story about the bill & yesterday's committee hearing on AI & privacy. https://digiday.com/... @commercedems: Today, @SenatorCantwell, @MarshaBlackburn and @SenatorHeinrich introduced the COPIED Act that will increase transparency, combat AI deepfakes and put creators back in control of their content. https://www.commerce.senate.gov/ ... [image] @riaa: We appreciate @SenatorCantwell, @MarshaBlackburn, & @SenatorHeinrich leadership with the COPIED Act of 2024 that would grant much needed visibility into AI development and pave the way for more ethical innovation and fair and transparent competition in the digital marketplace. [image]

Danny Gallagher /
Engadget: Three senators introduce bill to protect artists and journalists from unauthorized AI use U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee: Blackburn, Cantwell, Heinrich Introduce Legislation to Combat AI Deepfakes & Put Journalists, Artists & Songwriters Back in Control of Their Content

Dylan Smith /
Digital Music News: Federal Lawmakers Propose New AI Regulations — Extending to Generative Models' Training and More — in RIAA-Backed ‘Copied Act’

Eray Eliaçık /
Dataconomy: To fight AI's copycat games, the COPIED Act proposes...

Stuart Dredge /
Music Ally: US music bodies welcome ‘Copied Act’ proposed AI legislation

Marty Swant /
Digiday: AI Briefing: Senators propose new regulations for privacy, transparency and copyright protections

Nieman Lab:

How AI models can help reporters save time by helping them understand complex, jargon-heavy documents, particularly in fields like science and technology— Can AI models save reporters time in figuring out an unfamiliar field's jargon? — During the news gathering process …

Adweek:

Bustle Digital Group laid off nine staffers, including the editors-in-chief of Romper and The Zoe Report; BDG also delayed the next issue of Nylon until 2025— The media company is also delaying Nylon's recently relaunched print magazine — The media company Bustle Digital Group laid off nine staff …

Rest of World:

A profile of FlowGPT, a Chilean artist who made a hit song using AI to clone Justin Bieber and Bad Bunny's voices and calls his AI songs “demos”— Meet the Chilean artist who made it big using others' voices. … 9 JULY 2024 • SANTIAGO, CHILE