Pinterest unveils generative AI tools for advertisers who want to enhance backgrounds on their Product Pins, after similar moves by Google, Amazon, and others (Sarah Perez/TechCrunch)

Mediagazer: Pinterest unveils generative AI tools for advertisers who want to enhance backgrounds on their Product Pins, after similar moves by Google, Amazon, and others (Sarah Perez/TechCrunch)

Top News:

The Hollywood Reporter:

The Washington Post's Taylor Lorenz is leaving the newspaper to launch her own publication on Substack called User Mag, to “cover technology from the user side”— Lorenz, who is leaving the newspaper to launch the publication, says that it will “cover technology from the user side …
Discussion: User Mag, New York Post, New York Times, Mediaite, The Wrap, Fox News, Talking Biz News, @taylorlorenz, Associated Press, @ericnewcomer, @taylorlorenz@threads.net, @katienotopoulos@threads.net, @drew_benvie@threads.net, @jackcarterbenjamin …, DNyuz, Deadline, @jpodhoretz, @justinbaragona, @ernie@writing.exchange, @danprimack, @brianstelter@threads.net and @katienotopoulos@threads.net

Discussion:

Taylor Lorenz /
User Mag: Introducing User Magazine

Ariel Zilber /
New York Post: Controversial Taylor Lorenz leaves Washington Post weeks after calling Biden ‘war criminal’

Diana Falzone /
Mediaite: Taylor Lorenz Quits Washington Post to Launch Independent Venture After Investigation Into Biden Meme

Sean Burch /
The Wrap: Taylor Lorenz, Tech Columnist and Target of Right-Wing Criticism, Departs Washington Post for Substack

Taylor Lorenz /
@taylorlorenz: ~personal news~ I'm going independent and launching my own media outlet on Substack called User Mag. Please consider buying a yearly subscription to help me continue my work https://www.usermag.co/... Associated Press: Reporter Taylor Lorenz exits Washington Post after investigation into Instagram post

Eric Newcomer /
@ericnewcomer: About time! So happy for you @TaylorLorenz

Taylor Lorenz /
@taylorlorenz@threads.net: If you're interested in my new independent media venture I answered a lot more questions about User Mag on my about page https://www.usermag.co/about

Katie Notopoulos /
@katienotopoulos@threads.net: This is going to be so good: “User Mag is founded on the belief that the real story of technology lies with its users. Instead of focusing on corporate earnings and boardroom conflicts, User Mag will cover how people are actually using technology.” https://www.usermag.co/...

Drew Benvie /
@drew_benvie@threads.net: If there's a voice worth following on Threads for those working in tech, social and culture, it's @taylorlorenz. I've been a subscriber of all her things for years, and recommend you I've her a follow too. She's now launching her own media brand and explains here why legacy media doesn't cover digital culture the way it could https://www.youtube.com/...

Jack Benjamin /
@jackcarterbenjamin@threads.net: Wonder if this had anything to do with WaPo investigating that post Lorenz made to her close friends on Instagram re: genocide Joe? Don't think she produced any more articles for WaPo after that incident.

Ted Johnson /
Deadline: Taylor Lorenz To Depart Washington Post To Publish Her Own Substack “User Magazine”

John Podhoretz /
@jpodhoretz: Unfortunately for her, to succeed on Substack, you actually have to work.

Justin Baragona /
@justinbaragona: Taylor Lorenz is apparently done with the Washington Post. She announced the launch of User Magazine today, a Substack newsletter that will come out 1-3 times a week. “I also firmly believe that the era of faux neutrality—the ‘view from nowhere’ style of journalism—is over.” [image]

Ernie Smith /
@ernie@writing.exchange: Everyone's favorite internet-culture writer, @taylorlorenz, goes independent: — https://www.usermag.co/...

Brian Stelter /
@brianstelter@threads.net: Lorenz: “I just wanted to get out of legacy media. I feel like it's just really, really difficult to do the kind of reporting that I want to do on the internet within these kind of older institutions as a primary job. I like to have a really interactive relationship with my audience. …

Katie Notopoulos /
@katienotopoulos@threads.net: This is great news. Taylor has no peers in the way she breaks news that is always a must-read. Having the freedom to pursue the stories she wants and the ability to share her point of view on stuff she understands better than anyone is a pure win for readers https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/ ...

CNN:

CNN launches a paywall, asking US website visitors to pay $3.99 per month for access after they consume a certain number of free articles— New York CNN — — CNN, one of the most popular news websites in the world, is starting to ask some of its visitors to pay $3.99 a month for access.

Discussion:
Nieman Lab, Axios, TVNewsCheck, Adweek, @joshuatopolsky@threads.net, Press Gazette, ABC, The Hollywood Reporter, TechRadar, The Desk, Cord Cutters News, Reuters, Los Angeles Times, @jackcarterbenjamin …, @dailydetroit@threads.net, Mediaite, 7NEWS, @steveguest, @simondowens@threads.net, @ggreenwald, @ingelramdecoucy, @keithedwards@threads.net, @alexjamesfitz@threads.net, ABC, theaustralian, @richard_harambe, @brianstelter, @simondowens@threads.net, @michaelsocolow, @kbode@threads.net, @themarketswork, @brianstelter, @kathmschmidt@threads.net, @robbdunewood@threads.net, @bostonjerry, @deggans, The Wrap, @abigailmarone, @jw@threads.net, @jeff@newsie.social, ABC News (Australia) on YouTube, Media Play News, Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and Barrett Media

Discussion:

Joshua Benton /
Nieman Lab: Going back to the well: CNN.com, the most popular news site in the U.S., is putting up a paywall

Sara Fischer /
Axios: Reuters, CNN add website paywalls

Alex Weprin /
TVNewsCheck: CNN Launches Digital Paywall In Major Strategic Shift

Mark Mwachiro /
Adweek: CNN Introduces Metered Paywall for U.S. Visitors

Joshua Topolsky /
@joshuatopolsky@threads.net: Paywalls are not going to save the news industry, but they will definitely make cheap misinfo creators more powerful than they already are. For every 1 person who signs up for this, 100K will simply not read the story. This trend is a disaster for meaningful information on the internet, and a crisis for humanity (I am not kidding).

Charlotte Tobitt /
Press Gazette: Reuters and CNN launch paywalls on same day

Lance Ulanoff /
TechRadar: Your free Internet is coming to an end and there's nothing you can do about it

Matthew Keys /
The Desk: CNN erects a paywall on its U.S.-based website

Luke Bouma /
Cord Cutters News: CNN Launches a New Subscription Service With Original Video Content & Locking Some News Stories Behind a Paywall

Stephen Battaglio /
Los Angeles Times: CNN puts a paywall on its website as TV revenues decline

Jack Benjamin /
@jackcarterbenjamin@threads.net: CNN could consider creating a bundle with some of the other Warner Bros Discovery offerings/IP. Could see a future where you subscribe to CNN and also get a little Harry Potter-themed game included in that subscription. Or the more obvious bundle which would be with Max. @dailydetroit@threads.net: CNN launched a paywall today, and The New York Times is putting past epsiodes of their podcasts (The Ezra Klein Show, The Daily, etc) behind their already existing paywall. It'll be interesting to see how it pans out. I have no doubt the NYT will be fine. …

Ahmad Austin Jr /
Mediaite: CNN Introduces Paywall for News Sites — Will Cost $3.99 Per Month for ‘Unlimited’ Access

Ailish Delaney /
7NEWS: ABC review Listen Loudly, Act Strongly finds racism within broadcaster

Steve Guest /
@steveguest: Will this last longer than CNN Plus? [image]

Simon Owens /
@simondowens@threads.net: COUNTER TAKE: Even with the rise of paywalls, lots of free, high quality information will exist on the internet. I'm highly skeptical of the idea that the rise of paywalls is doing anything to fuel misinformation. In other words, misinformation will continue to thrive regardless of whether paywalls exist. …

Glenn Greenwald /
@ggreenwald: The funniest media story in years was when CNN executives decided they should launch the pay service CNN+ — where people were forced to pay to watch the same CNN personalities that nobody watches for free — and it died after a total of 21 days. Maybe this will last as long: @ingelramdecoucy: Since CNN+ was such a resounding success it was a no brainer I suppose to take that model that people loved and were SUPER receptive to and apply it to the entirety of CNN's output. This is a great plan

Keith Edwards /
@keithedwards@threads.net: Imagine paying for CNN

Alex Fitzpatrick /
@alexjamesfitz@threads.net: I'm just some guy, but my hunch is that CNN.com only became the behemoth that it is because it was free.

Sophie Elsworth /
theaustralian: ‘Must do better’: ABC boss David Anderson apologises to staff over racial slurs

Dr. Richard Harambe /
@richard_harambe: They should call it CNN+

Brian Stelter /
@brianstelter: Big news about CNN today: CNN's website, one of the most popular news sites in the world, is starting to ask some users to pay $3.99 a month for access — laying the first bricks in a paywall that should, over time, help foot the bill for CNN's journalism. https://www.cnn.com/...

Simon Owens /
@simondowens@threads.net: CNN just launched its paywall, charging $3.99 a month. It's intentionally vague on how many free article views will trigger the paywall — probably because it's running various A/B tests on the best conversion strategy. I also wouldn't be surprised if it's utilizing a “smart” paywall that's optimized based on personal use. …

Michael Socolow /
@michaelsocolow: If I were a cable TV subscriber, and I didn't get free access to all CNN web content, I'd be furious. Literally paying twice for the same news. There's got to be some form of bundled workaround?

Karl Bode /
@kbode@threads.net: what if we made our low-quality “view from nowhere” journalism more expensive and annoying to access

Brian Stelter /
@brianstelter: “In addition to unlimited access to CNN dot com's articles, subscribers will receive benefits like exclusive election features, original documentaries, a curated daily selection of our most distinctive journalism, and fewer digital ads,” Alex MacCallum says.

Kathleen Matthews Schmidt /
@kathmschmidt@threads.net: Bad idea. https://www.cnn.com/...

Robb Dunewood /
@robbdunewood@threads.net: Good luck with this CNN. It seems like you're having a hard enough time getting people to consume your content for free. You'd better hope companies don't start offering your content ala cart on cable and streaming TV subscriptions.

Derrick Fright /
@bostonjerry: Warner Discovery is in the process of putting the most heavily trafficked news website in the US behind a paywall one month before the election. @deggans: CNN is launching a digital paywall today, requiring readers to pay $3.99 monthly for unlimited access to their stories. I wonder how this will fare, given that their website wasn't really my favorite news site even when access was unlimited for free. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/ ...

Kayla Cobb /
The Wrap: CNN Launches Subscription Model for $3.99 a Month

Abigail Jackson /
@abigailmarone: This makes sense because the last time CNN started a subscription-based platform it was a roaring success.

Josh Williams /
@jw@threads.net: CNN is going to learn the hard way that folks are not going to pay much for recycled content shoved between chumbox ads. It's a bummer how far their site has gone downhill.

Jeff /
@jeff@newsie.social: CNN hasn't committed journalism enough for me to pay $4/m — CNN starts paywalling news articles. — https://www.cnn.com/... ABC News (Australia) on YouTube: ‘Listen Loudly, Act Strongly’ review of racism at the ABC released | ABC News

Erik Gruenwedel /
Media Play News: CNN Website Launching $3.99 Monthly Subscription Paywall for Heavy Users

Calum Jaspan /
Sydney Morning Herald: ABC boss apologises to staff after review finds systemic racism

Amanda Meade /
The Guardian: ABC managing director apologises to staff who experienced racism after review reveals ‘disturbing’ treatment

Variety:

Paramount Global says its contract with Nielsen for audience measurement has expired, part of a broader dispute between Paramount and Nielsen over costs— With just hours to go before its CBS television network televises what is certain to be a heavily watched debate between two candidates …

Discussion:
Adweek, Axios, Nielsen, Deadline, Kris Magel on LinkedIn, @bristei, @tvgrimreaper, MediaPost, TVNewsCheck, The Wrap and AdExchanger

Discussion:

Mark Mwachiro /
Adweek: How Paramount's Nieslen Dispute Could Impact CBS News' Vice Presidential Debate

Sara Fischer /
Axios: Paramount, Nielsen fail to reach new ratings contract

Dade Hayes /
Deadline: Paramount And Nielsen Hit Contract Impasse As CBS News Gets Set To Host Vice Presidential Debate

Kris Magel /
Kris Magel on LinkedIn: If you've been in the media & advertising industry for some time, you've certainly seen the epic corporate standoffs, mostly in the Programmer vs. Distributor world …

Brian Steinberg /
@bristei: Paramount Global and Nielsen are at loggerheads in a contract dispute that means CBS and other properties won't have data from the measurement giant — with just hours to go before what is sure to be a big-crowd vice presidential debate on CBS https://variety.com/...

Wayne Friedman /
MediaPost: Paramount Drops Nielsen In Pricing Dispute

Ross A. Lincoln /
TVNewsCheck: Paramount's TV Ratings Partnership With Nielsen Expires Over Costs Dispute

Ross A. Lincoln /
The Wrap: Paramount's TV Ratings Partnership With Nielsen Expires Over Costs Dispute

TechCrunch:

Microsoft plans to pay outlets like Reuters, FT, and Axel Springer for content in Copilot Daily, a new assistant that gives a spoken summary of current events— Microsoft is going to pay publishers for content that will appear in Copilot Daily, a new feature of its Copilot AI-powered, cross-platform assistant.

Discussion:
Gizmodo, Engadget, PCWorld, GeekWire, PCWorld, CNN, The Verge and The Official Microsoft Blog, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Devindra Hardawar /
Engadget: Microsoft's Copilot AI gets a voice and the ability to see websites you browse

Todd Bishop /
GeekWire: New Microsoft Copilot features include natural AI voice interactions and daily news summary

Clare Duffy /
CNN: ‘Comfortable, fun, familiar’: Why Microsoft is trying to turn its AI chatbot into a digital friend

RELATED:

TechCrunch:
Microsoft begins rolling out Bing Generative Search, its answer to Google's AI Overviews, to users in the US

Discussion:
@glenngabe, Bing Blogs, @jordirib1 and Search Engine Land, more at Techmeme »

Discussion:

Glenn Gabe /
@glenngabe: Bing's generative AI in the SERPs keeps evolving. More of what they tested previously is rolling out. Standard search results in the sidebar -> The next step in Bing generative search “Bing shows an AI-generated experience that dives into the film subgenre, including its history [image]

Jordi Ribas /
@jordirib1: Today Microsoft is announcing significant AI updates across Copilot, Windows, and Bing. Our team is focused on Bing now, so I'm particularly excited to share the next step in Bing generative search, which is being rolled out in beta. To try it in the US, just type “Bing [image]

Barry Schwartz /
Search Engine Land: Bing expands generative search experience and Deep Search

Wall Street Journal:

Reuters plans to launch a $1 per week subscription in October in Canada ahead of a rollout to the US and parts of Europe “in the coming weeks and months”— Publishers turn to subscriptions in search of new revenue, entering a crowded field — Thomson Reuters' news site has been free for consumers since 1995.

Discussion:
Reuters News Agency, Talking Biz News and Paul Bascobert on LinkedIn

Discussion:

Heather Carpenter /
Reuters News Agency: Reuters to launch digital subscriptions for $1 per week

Chris Roush /
Talking Biz News: Reuters to start charging for website

Axios:

Sources: video measurement startup VideoAmp, valued at $1.4B during a Series F in 2021, is in talks to sell itself or form a joint venture with a rival— - The company was last valued at $1.4 billion during a Series F equity raise in 2021, but since has done multiple rounds of layoffs and lost its CEO.

TechCrunch:

Pinterest unveils generative AI tools for advertisers who want to enhance backgrounds on their Product Pins, after similar moves by Google, Amazon, and others— Image inspiration and shopping site Pinterest is the latest tech company to roll out generative AI products to its advertisers …

Discussion:
MediaPost and The Media Leader

Discussion:

Laurie Sullivan /
MediaPost: Pinterest Debuts AI, Automation Ad Performance Campaign Features

BBC:

BBC CEO Deborah Turness says critics on both sides of the war in Israel accuse the BBC of systemic bias and says both Israel and Hezbollah block reporting— We are approaching the anniversary of the horrific events of October 7th , and the start of a devastating year-long war that has killed tens …

Discussion:
@scynic1, @matt_walsh, Deadline and The Guardian

Discussion:

Simon Myerson KC /
@scynic1: TL:DR. We say it's not good enough that everyone hates us, but it is. We only get things wrong because Israel won't let reporters into Gaza. So we don't have to apologise for errors. Re our commentary - we're saying nowt - plebs don't understand. @bbcnews https://www.bbc.co.uk/...

Dr Matt Walsh /
@matt_walsh: It's not a rebuttal of the report released yesterday by Jewish community groups in the UK, which accused the BBC of being institutionally hostile to Israel. But reinforces the BBC's defence of its impartial reporting https://www.theguardian.com/ ...

Dr Matt Walsh /
@matt_walsh: Very good, clear defence of the importance of @BBCNews impartial reporting of Middle East conflict by @deborahturness - as she says it's vital the international journalists are allowed to freely report https://www.bbc.co.uk/...

Jake Kanter /
Deadline: BBC News CEO Deborah Turness: Critics Of Israel-Gaza Output Are Stuck In Online Echo Chambers

The Hollywood Reporter:

Ireland introduces a 40% tax credit for films led by Irish creative talent and with maximum global budgets of €20M— The targeted approach aims to boost the Irish film scene, which is having a moment with buzzy features like ‘Small Things Like These’ and Gaelic rap comedy ‘Kneecap.’

Discussion:

Melanie Goodfellow /
Deadline: Ireland Introduces 40% Tax Incentive For Lower To Mid-Range Budget Films Led By Irish Creative Talent

Committee to Protect Journalists:

The US Press Freedom Tracker recorded 68 assaults on journalists in 2024 so far, up from 45 in 2023, and 240 subpoenas for reporters' materials since 2017— Download PDF … Introduction — In the moments after a would-be assassin's bullet grazed the ear of presidential candidate Donald Trump …

Discussion:
TVNewsCheck, Axios, Committee to Protect … and CNN

Discussion:

Brian Stelter /
TVNewsCheck: Press Freedom Group Warns A Trump Victory Could Embolden Attacks On Journalists

Sara Fischer /
Axios: Report: Israel-Gaza war protests drive 50% uptick in assaults on U.S. journalists

Committee to Protect Journalists:
US press freedom under unprecedented pressure ahead of election, CPJ report finds

CNN:

Australia's ABC releases an internal review that found “systemic” racism within its ranks, prompting an apology from the managing director to staff— Australia's national broadcaster has released an internal review that found “systemic” racism within its ranks …

Discussion:
news.com.au, @simonkatterl, ABC, ABC News (Australia) on YouTube, ABC, @joshbbornstein, @muminprogress, ABC, @withmeaa, Daily Mail, MEAA, @antoinette_news, @traceyleeholmes, skynews, SBS News, Mediaweek, ABC, @jarniblakkarly and Mumbrella

Discussion:

Jessica Wang /
news.com.au: Independent review into racism at the ABC, finds reports of racial slurs, exclusion

Simon Katterl /
@simonkatterl: Three structural solutions and recommendations in there are the real game changers, but the @abcnews skin should settle the Lattouf case and admit fault - that would be an important symbolic gesture (in addition to the individual justice). https://www.abc.net.au/...

ABC News (Australia) on YouTube:
ABC Managing Director responds to review into racism at broadcaster | ABC NEWS

Stephanie Smail /
ABC: ‘Systemic racism’ found in review of ABC

Scott Wales /
ABC: Majority of pharmacists opposed to selling vapes

Josh Bornstein /
@joshbbornstein: ABC review finds racism within broadcaster and staff targeted by external organisations . (To the ABC's credit, it commissioned the review and published its findings). https://www.abc.net.au/...

Saman Shad /
@muminprogress: I'm glad the ABC has done this which makes it better than most media orgs in this country however these issues have been known for sometime now - I have stories of my own- the question is how is meaningful change going to occur https://www.abc.net.au/...

Nancy Notzon /
ABC: ABC accepts racism report recommendations @withmeaa: Media release: The Listen Loudly, Act Strongly report into how the ABC has dealt with racism experienced by its staff is a watershed moment for the media industry that must lead to change in all workplaces. https://www.meaa.org/... #MEAAmedia [image]

David Southwell /
Daily Mail: ABC boss issues grovelling apology over bombshell racism report - after Stan Grant quit because of vile abuse

Antoinette Lattouf /
@antoinette_news: *Insert shocked face* “ABC review finds racism within broadcaster & staff targeted by external organisations” Yet 10 months & hundreds of thousands in legal fees ABC is fighting me in Federal Court denying my unfair dismissal after lobbyists targeted me https://www.abc.net.au/...

Tracey Holmes /
@traceyleeholmes: The Independent Review's findings of systemic racism at the ABC should shock nobody - every person either suffered it, witnessed it, or perpetrated it. One senior staff member, who had informed management of their own particular experiences, waited to hear from the Independent

Laurence Karacsony /
skynews: ‘I am sorry’: ABC managing director David Anderson apologises to staff for ‘past harms’ after review into systemic racism Mediaweek: ABC review into racism tabled: ‘Systematic’ issues found that disadvantaged diverse staff, 15 recommendations to improve

Jake Evans /
ABC: ABC review finds racism within broadcaster and staff targeted by external organisations

Jarni Blakkarly /
@jarniblakkarly: ABC Managing Director David Anderson's view on what racism looks like is concerningly two-dimensional. Instead of senior managers at the ABC looking in the mirror and reflecting on how they uphold power structures, he wants to embark on a hunt to “find the big bad racists” [image]

Agence France-Presse:

Cambodia arrests award-winning reporter Mech Dara, known for investigations into exploitation at online scam compounds, for “incitement to cause serious chaos”— Phnom Penh (AFP) - An award-winning Cambodian journalist known for reporting on human trafficking in the cyber scam industry …

Discussion:
The Hill, ABC, Radio Free Asia, The Diplomat, Agence France-Presse, Reporters Without Borders, @sneweyy, @pakhead, @carmichael_rob, @geraldrflynn, @douglasgillison, @niccijsmith, @jdanielsims, @savey_phin, @erinahandley, @lauriefdparsons, @geraldrflynn, @reaproy, Sky News, @maxwalden_, @aubreybelford, @saophalniseiy, @carmichael_rob, @neiloughlin, Overseas Press Club …, @mattsurrusco, @jdanielsims, NHK WORLD, The Independent, @vanthaphoung, Committee to Protect …, @kelanawisnu, PCIJ.org, @suilee, @sophiedrich, @nathanwrites, @maywongcna, @sstrangio, @geetha_lingam, @suecoffey21, @ctipcambodia, Telegraph, @iroughol, @littlemschief, @reaproy, @quinnlibson, @reaproy, @casadetake, @zekefaux, @markscogan, CamboJA News, @nith_ten, @ezrakyrill, @calebquinley, @nehabnk, @johnreedwrites, @tostevinm, New York Times, Reuters and Associated Press

Discussion:

Dominick Mastrangelo /
The Hill: US calls for release of award-winning Cambodian journalist Reporters Without Borders: Cambodia: RSF appalled by detention of award-winning journalist Mech Dara

Sarah Newey /
@sneweyy: “Day by day, Cambodia appears to more closely resemble the authoritarian, single party regimes of Vietnam and China, with their total intolerance for media freedom,” said @Reaproy https://www.telegraph.co.uk/ ...

Jonathan Head /
@pakhead: This is alarming. @MechDara1 is one of the few independent journalists still working in Cambodia with an impressive track record.

Robert Carmichael /
@carmichael_rob: Saddened - though sadly not surprised - to see #Cambodia govt arrest journalist @MechDara1, who has fearlessly pursued stories about corruption, online scam centres, etc etc for years. As always, the govt goes after those who expose crimes, not those guilty of them.

Gerry Flynn /
@geraldrflynn: We now know Dara is at court in Phnom Penh and his case is with investigating judge Lim Sokuntheara. In the next few hours, the judge will decide whether Dara is sent to prison on pre-trial detention or allowed to return home under judicial supervision.

Douglas Gillison /
@douglasgillison: Breaking my Twitter silence to express my outrage and alarm at @MechDara1's arrest in Koh Kong just 18 days after the US slapped sanctions on that province's powerful oligarch Dara must be scared but I know he can draw on deep reserves of courage.

Nicola Smith /
@niccijsmith: Alarming news about the arrest of Mech Dara, an award-winning Cambodian journalist with a strong record of reporting on human rights issues

J. Daniel Sims /
@jdanielsims: There is NO SCENARIO in which this is not a politically motivated arrest. @MechDara1 has been a leading voice shedding light on state-affiliated criminal industries for years amidst mounting repression. Concerned govts must call on @Dr_Hunmanet_PM to release him immediately.

Savey Phin /
@savey_phin: Mr. Mech Dara who is the Cambodian Journalist was arrested today (30 September 2024) at 4:00 PM in Sre Ambel District, Koh Kong province. Dara has been working on multiple sensitive issues in Cambodia. [image]

Erin Handley /
@erinahandley: Deeply troubled to hear reports of Mech Dara's arrest in Cambodia. Dara is one of the most dogged journalists in the country. This news is a sad reminder of the risks reporters face there. https://www.voanews.com/...

Laurie Parsons /
@lauriefdparsons: @MechDara1 is one of Cambodia's most important journalistic voices of the last decade His work enjoys universal respect around the world - and his arrest is a national embarrassment This is not the message Cambodia should be sending about its future https://www.theguardian.com/ ... [image]

Gerry Flynn /
@geraldrflynn: https://opc-cambodia.org/... The Overseas Press Club of Cambodia (OPCC) & our partners issued a statement calling for the immediate release of Mech Dara, a journalist whose recent arrest is a clear attempt to silence critical voices in an already shrinking space for press freedoms.

Phil Robertson /
@reaproy: Speaking to #Sweden's national radio about the outrageous & unacceptable detention of Cambodian journalist Mech Dara on bogus, politically motivated charges. He should be immediately & unconditionally released without charges! #MechDara #Cambodia https://sverigesradio.se/... [image] Sky News: Mech Dara, reporter who exposed human trafficking in cyber scamming, arrested in Cambodia, rights groups say

Max Walden /
@maxwalden_: Award-winning Cambodian freelance investigative reporter ⁦@MechDara1⁩ has been arrested in what's been described as a “retaliatory move” from the country's authoritarian rulers. https://www.abc.net.au/... @aubreybelford: One of Cambodia's best and most fearless journalists, @MechDara1, remains in detention. His arrest is as sure a sign as any that Cambodia has now completely slipped into the world's club of dictatorships. He must be freed immediately @saophalniseiy: If @MechDara1's reports that help uncover scams and human trafficking is considered incitement, what should those letting mafia-like criminals continue to exploit the coastal province then be called? #ReleaseMechDara https://www.rfa.org/...

Robert Carmichael /
@carmichael_rob: So, #Cambodia journalist @mechdara1 looks to have been charged with incitement - pretty much the go-to charge that the govt uses against those it doesn't like. Last year, Dara won the US State Dept's Hero Award for his reporting on human trafficking https://www.tipheroes.org/...

Neil Loughlin /
@neiloughlin: This is awful news. Mech Dara is an incredibly brave and dedicated journalist. His work has shone light into some very dark places in #Cambodia. https://www.rfa.org/...

Opcc /
Overseas Press Club of Cambodia: Joint Statement: Drop Charges And Immediately Release Cambodian Journalist Mech Dara

Matt Surrusco /
@mattsurrusco: Award-winning Cambodian journalist @MechDara1 arrested, authorities have so far refused to say where he's being held or what he's been accused of https://www.barrons.com/...

J. Daniel Sims /
@jdanielsims: My latest @Diplomat_APAC on the plight of a dear friend and personal hero @MechDara1 — as @Dr_Hunmanet_PM's #Cambodia continues its freefall into total criminal autocracy. https://thediplomat.com/...

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar /
The Independent: Cambodia arrests award-winning journalist who exposed human trafficking and scam compounds @vanthaphoung: The court confirmed that Mech Dara was held in pre-trial detention in Phnom Penh. This happened after being charged with criminal incitement for the content posted on social media on September 20, 23, 26, 28, and 29, 2024.

Committee to Protect Journalists:
Award-winning journalist Mech Dara arrested for incitement in Cambodia @kelanawisnu: Shocked to hear that our friend, journalist @MechDara1 was detained by military police during a family holiday. His fearless reporting on Cambodia's cyber scam industry and other vital stories has earned him immense respect. Please release him @Dr_Hunmanet_PM @suilee: Cambodia has arrested Mech Dara, a journalist known for his work on exposing human trafficking in online scam compounds, less than a month after the U.S. punished a powerful Cambodian businessman over what it said was his role in the criminal enterprise. https://www.nytimes.com/...

Sophie Richardson /
@sophiedrich: Another outrageous assault on #freespeech #journalism, with an especially absurd justification from #Cambodia authorities—"inciting confusion." https://www.nytimes.com/... @Reaproy @licadho

Nathan Thompson /
@nathanwrites: This is a disgrace. I knew Dara during my time as a journalist in Cambodia and this is surely politically motivated @Dr_Hunmanet_PM must step in and right this injustice

May Wong /
@maywongcna: Concerns mounting over whereabouts of arrested #Cambodia journalist @MechDara1. Real reason for arrest unclear but he has done many sensitive stories which challenged government. @Reaproy calls arrest over social media post “both outrageous & unacceptable” https://apnews.com/... [image]

Sebastian Strangio /
@sstrangio: Awful news. Dara is a fantastic journalist, and has been responsible for a hefty percentage of the reporting on Cambodia's online scamming industry, including its connections to the country's political elite.

Sangeetha Amarthalingam /
@geetha_lingam: The arrest of journalist @MechDara1 is shrouded in mystery. Over 20 hours have passed with no reason given or news of his whereabouts. He was nabbed in front of his family, who were asked to sit in the car, on the expressway to Phnom Penh. #freeMechDara https://kiripost.com/...

Sue Coffey /
@suecoffey21: Terrible to hear important journalist @MechDara1 has been arrested. Extreme repression continues under the CPP in #Cambodia, Australia and the international community need to speak up @SenatorWong @ctipcambodia: 🔔 Important Notice 🔔Our friend, media and counter-trafficking colleague Mech Dara today reportedly was arrested by law enforcement agents as he was traveling with his family. Cambodia CTIP stands publicly in its support for this great person and anti-trafficking hero. [image]

Sarah Newey /
Telegraph: Award-winning Cambodian journalist arrested amid ‘repressive’ crackdown on media freedoms

Isabelle Roughol /
@iroughol: My former colleague Mech Dara was arrested by Cambodian military police today. Dara is one of the best reporters in Cambodia. His investigations of human trafficking are exceptional. This is the work they don't want you to know about: https://vodenglish.news/...

Marissa Carruthers /
@littlemschief: Journalist @MechDara1, known for his reporting on human trafficking and scam compounds, has been arrested under unclear circumstances. His family and press associations are demanding answers about his whereabouts and the reason for his arrest https://kiripost.com/...

Phil Robertson /
@reaproy: “The fact that 6 cars of gendarmes swooped in to arrest journalist Mech Dara is emblematic of the Cambodian government's repressive, over the top reaction to any sort of criticism from the media” says Phil Robertson, Director of Asia Human Rights & Labour Advocates (AHRLA) today [image]

E. Quinn Libson /
@quinnlibson: It's clear authorities chose to arrest @MechDara1 now of all possible times so that they would catch people flat-footed and on vacation. It would be great to be able to prove that strategy wrong-headed

Phil Robertson /
@reaproy: More news about #Cambodia's continuing failure to respect media freedom, and ensure press access and inclusion in decisions that directly affect journalists. The @UN_SPExperts were absolutely right to call this out. @OHCHR_Cambodia https://cambojanews.com/...

Shunsuke Miyatake /
@casadetake: I don't know how much valuable information I got from him about true Cambodia since I came here in 2016. His professionalism and passion for the truth contributes tons for Cambodia and Cambodian people. Journalism is not a crime. Hope his free as soon as possible 🙏🏻

Zeke Faux /
@zekefaux: Cambodian investigative journalist @MechDara1 has been detained by authorities. He's been at risk for years due to his fearless reporting on scam compounds. His colleagues don't know where he's being held or if he's been charged with a crime. https://www.facebook.com/...

Mark S. Cogan /
@markscogan: Need all to stand with @MechDara1 as he fights charges leveled at him while visiting his family. Another reminder of the brutal tactics of the Hun regime. #JournalismIsNotACrime #Cambodia

Seoung Nimol /
CamboJA News: UN Calls for Suspension Of Cambodia's Journalism Charter, Ministry Says It Devalues Industry's Consensus

Nina Sreinith Yang /
@nith_ten: My courageous friend and outstanding journalist has been reportedly arrested in Koh Kong. His whereabouts remain unknown. Praying for his safety #mechdara #cambodia [image]

Ezra /
@ezrakyrill: Mech Dara was on a fellowship in Berlin for three months a few years ago, and we'd chat for hours about the situation in Cambodia. Between journalism jobs or gigs as a fixer, he'd work as a moto taxi driver. He's soft-spoken, gentle and only wants the best for people.

Caleb Quinley /
@calebquinley: Last year, @MechDara1 won the U.S. State Department's human trafficking Hero Award for his coverage of Cambodia's scam-compounds. He is largely viewed as one of the most important journalists who started unraveling the scale of forced labor scam mills. https://rfa.org/......

Neha Banka /
@nehabnk: Mech Dara has been arrested in Cambodia for his journalism. This is terrible news. He has been such a supportive colleague & friend. What I know for sure is that Dara will just come out of this stronger & undaunted.

John Reed /
@johnreedwrites: The accomplished and brave Cambodian journalist Mech Dara, who has done sharp work on human trafficking, has been arrested (link to some of his work below). Don't attack the messenger; arrest the criminals. #JournalismIsNotACrime #Cambodia https://x.com/...

Matthew Tostevin /
@tostevinm: The @FCCThai is deeply concerned about the reported arrest and detention of Mech Dara @MechDara1, a leading Cambodian investigative journalist who had exposed human trafficking, environmental destruction and corruption. https://www.shorturl.at/OtNlH #JournalismIsNotACrime [image]

Poppy Mcpherson /