A judge dismisses Alec Baldwin's manslaughter case in the fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, after ruling prosecutors withheld evidence (Associated Press)

Mediagazer: A judge dismisses Alec Baldwin's manslaughter case in the fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, after ruling prosecutors withheld evidence (Associated Press)

Top News:

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: The Wrap, IndieWire, Variety, CNBC, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, New York Post, TMZ.com, Deadline, Associated Press, Reuters, Rolling Stone, The Sun, WHDH-TV, Breitbart, CBS News and New York Times

Discussion:

Ross A. Lincoln /
The Wrap: Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ Manslaughter Trial Dismissed Over Withheld Bullet Evidence

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

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

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

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

Samantha Chery /
Washington Post: Judge dismisses Alec Baldwin's ‘Rust’ case New York Post: Alec Baldwin's ‘Rust’ involuntary manslaughter case dismissed in middle of trial in shocking twist

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

Associated Press:
Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter case dismissed in middle of trial and cannot be filed again

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

Alana Mastrangelo /
Breitbart: Watch: Alec Baldwin Trial Judge Scolds Messy Media for Courtroom Filth: ‘Have Manners on Picking up After Ourselves’

Allison Elyse Gualtieri /
CBS News: Jury in Alec Baldwin “Rust” shooting trial will hear testimony continue Monday

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:

Wendy Davis /
MediaPost: Federal Court Blocks Net Neutrality Rules

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:
The Verge, CNN, Raw Story, @KimPerales@toad.social, Bloomberg, @davidclinchnews, @jhglick, @bostonjoan and @mcbc, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

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

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

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.

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’

Mike Masnick /
Techdirt: Elon Says ExTwitter Will Sue The Group ExTwitter ‘Excitedly’ Joined Just Last Week

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.

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. @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— X is having a tough time cracking into the TV business, but first... Promises, promises — Six months ago, executives …

Discussion:

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

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

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

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/...

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]

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

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

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.

Rana L. Cash /
The Charlotte Observer: The Charlotte Observer set to change print days as digital transition evolves

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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/ ...

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?

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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]

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 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 @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. @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] @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]

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

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/...

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

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

Financial Times:

Sources: Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner and KKR are in talks to break Axel Springer in two, separating media assets from its digital classifieds business— Deal would separate group's media assets from its digital classifieds operation — German billionaire Mathias Döpfner …

Discussion:
Axios, Bloomberg, Ian Whittaker on LinkedIn, @froomkin, @semaforben, Reuters and The Information

Discussion:

Dan Primack /
Axios: Axel Springer reportedly weighs company breakup

Ian Whittaker /
Ian Whittaker on LinkedIn: As the article states, there is a natural split here in the Axel Springer business - four of the nine entities of Springer (Bild, Welt …

Dan Froomkin /
@froomkin: “The possible split comes as Döpfner [who once asked colleagues to pray for Trump's reelection] has been stepping up his efforts to build influence in the US media.” [my brackets]

Ben Smith /
@semaforben: Wow — big @ArashMassoudi scoop on Axel Springer: The company would split, giving the media assets to CEO Matthias Dopfner, the real estate and job sites to KKR https://www.ft.com/...

Jessica E. Lessin /
The Information: Why Women Are Disappearing From Tech

Journal Sentinel:

Civic Media says its decision to make two pre-broadcast edits to a Biden interview on Earl Ingram's WAUK show fell short of “journalistic interview standards”— Jessie Opoien Molly BeckMilwaukee Journal Sentinel — MADISON — Civic Media, a Wisconsin-based progressive talk-radio network …

Discussion:
Civic Media, Fox News, Poynter, Megyn Kelly, Newser, @peterbakernyt, @corbinbolies, Inside Radio, @grynbaum, Mediaite, KNSD-TV, Breitbart, The Wrap, New York Times, New York Post, CNN, The Daily Beast, Deadline and @toussaint@newsie.social

Discussion:

Sage Weil /
Civic Media: Civic Media — Statement regarding edits to the July 4th interview with President Biden Megyn Kelly: ‘Just Listen’: Megyn Slams the White House Press Corps After More Examples of Journalistic Malpractice Emerge

Evann Gastaldo /
Newser: Radio Network Admits Portions of Biden Interview Were Cut

Peter Baker /
@peterbakernyt: Biden has given fewer interviews than any president in modern times and not a single one to a major newspaper. Instead he prefers friendly interviewers — and it turns out that his campaign has long fed some of them softball questions to ask. @kenbensinger https://www.nytimes.com/...

Corbin Bolies /
@corbinbolies: Biden campaign says: “Hosts have always been free to...air the segments they think will best inform their listeners.” Doesn't explain why they made the request. When I called host Earl Ingram to chat, he promised a call back...and then ignored follow-ups. https://www.thedailybeast.com/ ...

Michael M. Grynbaum /
@grynbaum: What a disaster Biden's two under-the-radar radio interviews last week turned out to be. His campaign was caught planting questions (which got one host fired) and asking one station to cut lines they felt were embarrassing. And Biden still had gaffes like “first Black woman.”

Jamie Frevele /
Mediaite: ‘Outrageous!’ Fox's Dana Perino Scolds Biden Administration Over Asking For Interview Edits

Zoë Richards /
KNSD-TV: Wisconsin radio network said it edited out portions of Biden interview at his campaign's request

Paul Bois /
Breitbart: Milwaukee Radio Station Says it Agreed to Edit Joe Biden Interview, Removed Embarrassing Statements

Jacob Bryant /
The Wrap: Biden Campaign Asked Wisconsin Radio Station for Edits to President's Interview

Ken Bensinger /
New York Times: Biden Campaign Has Long Fed Softball Questions to Friendly Interviewers

Victor Nava /
New York Post: Milwaukee radio station admits it scrubbed multiple Biden remarks from interview — at campaign's request

Corbin Bolies /
The Daily Beast: Radio Station ‘Sorry’ for Editing Biden Interview at Campaign's Request

Ted Johnson /
Deadline: Milwaukee Radio Station Says It Made Edits To Joe Biden Interview At Request Of Campaign @toussaint@newsie.social: Biden's first interviews after the debate were with tiny radio stations to practice for the ABC interview. Biden got one lady fired for being given the questions by the campaign and not telling anyone until after the fact. The other was carefully edited to take out a phrase black PEOPLE hate to hear; ‘the blacks’ or ‘more blacks’. …

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

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 …

The Verge:

How Ben Faw, co-founder of BestReviews and Advon, allegedly led a scheme to add affiliate links to product reviews that benefited companies Faw had a role in— The man behind the AI gaffes at Sports Illustrated and USA Today has a yearslong history of filling the internet with garbage.

Discussion:
@verge@mastodon.social, @miarsato, @dannygroner, @daisandconfused and @miarsato

Discussion:

Mia Sato /
@miarsato: NEW: Ben Faw is an Army vet who went to Harvard Business School + worked at Tesla and LinkedIn. He's well-connected in media. He was also behind the disastrous Sports Illustrated AI incident. And he's been pushing garbage out on the internet for years: https://www.theverge.com/...

Danny Groner /
@dannygroner: “As publishers stare down the barrel of Google Search traffic drying up to zero, outlets big and small, trustworthy and less so, are leaning into product review content, hoping it will buoy a sinking ship. But the ecosystem of online reviews is essentially the Wild West.”

Daisy Alioto /
@daisandconfused: I will never understand why mercenaries enter the media industry and try to make money. Go make easy, dumb money in literally any other industry.

Bloomberg:

Saudi Arabia will host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025, as part of a newly announced 12-year partnership with the Olympic Committee— Saudi Arabia will host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025 under an agreement announced Friday by the International Olympic Committee and the kingdom.

Discussion:
Semafor, The Esports Advocate, Deadline, Engadget and Olympics.com, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Caroline Anders /
Semafor: Saudi Arabia to host first ever Esports Olympics as professional gaming takes off

James Fudge /
The Esports Advocate: International Olympic Committee Signs 12-Year Deal With Saudi Arabia for Esports Olympic Games

Melanie Goodfellow /